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2^ Edited by A. C. GOULD. 



SPORT: 




. OR . . 



SHOOTING AND FISHING. 



ILLUSTRATED FROM THE FIFTEEN ORIGINAL 
WATER-COLORS BY 

A. S. Frost. Henry Sandham. F. H. Taylor. 

S. F. IDenton. Edward Knohel. 

F. S. Cogens. Frederic l^emington. R. F. Zogbaum. 




The work complete in five large quarto sections, each section 
containing nnagnificent reproductions of three original water- 
colors, size 12x18 inches, with acconnpanying text. It will be 
sold to subscribers only, and no order can be taken except for 
the connplete publication. 



Price of EncJi Section .... 
Or, Bound in Half BoxbnrgJi, Gilt Top 



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A LIMITED EDITION ONLY. 




Bradlee Whidden, 

PUBLISHER, 
i8 ARCH ST., BOSTON, MASS. 




MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



MODERN 



American Rifles 



WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF PROCESSES OF MANUFACTURING; APPLIANCES USED BY RIFLEMEN 
FOR HUNTING AND TARGET SHOOTING; DIRECTIONS FOR BULLET-MAKING 
AND RELOADING CARTRIDGES; POSITIONS ADOPTED IN VARIOUS 
STYLES OF shooting; TRAJECTORIES OF RIFLES ; 
AND A VERY FULL RECORD OF INVEN- 
TIONS, IMPROVEMENTS, AND 
WORK ACCOMPLISHED WITH 
AMERICAN RIFLES. 



J--"- \V BY 

A. C/ GOULD ("Ralph Greenwood") 

Editor of " Shooting' and Fishiitg." 



31lliistratetr« 



BOSTON: 

BRADLEE WHIDDEN. 

1892. 






COPYRIGHT, 

1S91, 
By BRADLEE WHIDDEN. 

ALL RIGHTS RESER VED. 



PREFACE. 



During the years the author has been associated with 
sportsmen's publications, especially since establishing 
a journal devoted exclusively to the rifle, and editing 
its successor, which has been largely devoted to rifle 
shooting, he has noted the desire among devotees to the 
sport of rifle shooting for information on this subject. 
Those who have read The Rifle and its successor, Shoot- 
ing and Fishing, must have noted that the Query and 
Reply column has been almost exclusively devoted to 
attempting to elucidate perplexed riflemen. Many of 
the questions have been repeated with such frequency, 
that it was considered advisable to publisha series of 
papers which would cover, as nearly as possible, the in- 
formation called for. The papers appeared in the col- 
umns of Shooting and Fishing, and were so well received 
that certain editions were exhausted, and many appli- 
cants for back numbers could not be supplied. Besides 
this, it was found there was much matter which could 
not well be published in the columns of a paper, but 
advantageously connected with the matter previously 
published, as well as a great deal of new matter which 
developed after the scries appeared ; and responding to 



X PREFACE. 

the requests of many, to present the result of my inves- 
tigations in book form, I have collected, rewritten, and 
added new matter, and submit it in this volume. 

No attempt has been made to produce a scientific 
treatise ; on the contrary, the volume is the result of 
more than a quarter of a century's practical experience 
with American rifles, impelled by an irresistible attrac- 
tion to investigate the mode of manufacturing, the art 
of shooting the rifle, and the various uses of the arm. 

The author does not hesitate to state that after diligent 
study of the rifle for the period named, he recognizes 
there is much to learn of the idiosyncrasies of this most 
fascinating but perplexing arm. 

I have been greatly aided in my work by favors from 
the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, the Colt's 
Patent Fire-Arms Company, the Ideal Manufacturing- 
Company, the Union Metallic Cartridge Company, the 
Massachusetts Arms Company, the J. Stevens Arms 
and Tool Company, and the Malcolm Telescope Manu- 
facturing Company. I also desire to acknowledge my 
indebtedness to Major Charles W. Hinman, Captain S. 
E. Blunt, Mr. H. V. Perry, Mr. N. S. Brockway, Mr. L. 
N. Walker, Mr. W. H. Devenport, and last, but not least, 
my faithful and untiring assistant, Mr. William Maynard, 
who has always stood ready to aid me in my work. 

A. C. G. 



CONTENTS. 



Chapter I. Discovery and Principles of a Rifle. — 

Rifles of the Present. — Material for 
Rifle Barrels .... 

Chapter II. Manufacture of Rifle Barrels. — Boring 

— Straightening. — Rifling. — Lead- 
ing and Chambering 

Chapter III. Forgings. — Additional work on Barrels 

— Stocking .... 

Chapter IV. Rifle Sights. — Front Open Sights 

Chapter V. Rifle Sights. — Rear Open Sights and 

Rear Peep Sights 

Chapter VI. Combination Rifle Sights 

Chapter VII. Target Sights for Rifles 

Chapter VIII. Telescope Rifle Sights . 

Chapter IX, Hunting Rifles. — Single Shot and 
Repeating Rifles 

Chapter X. Target Rifles. — Rifles for Off-hand and 

Rest Target Shooting 

Chapter Xf. Military Rifles .... 

Chapter XII. Pocket Rifles .... 

Chapter XIII. Positions in Rifle Shooting . 

Chapter XIV. Aiming, Sighting, Holding, and Firing 

Chapter XV. Trajectories of Rifle Bullets . 



28 

35 

45 

59 
66 

73 



122 
136 
144 
153 
173 
183 



xu 



CONTENTS. 



Chapter XVI. 
Chapter y^NVl. 
Chapter XVIII. 

Chapter XIX. 



Chapter XX. 
Chapter XXI. 
Chapter XXII. 
Chapter XXIII. 

Chapter XXIV. 
Rules Governing 



What it is possible to do with a Rifle 

The Manipulation and Care of Rifles 

The Proper and the Absurd Use of 
the Rifle 

Constructing a Rifle Range. — Laying 
out a Range. — Arrangement of the 
Butts and Pits. — Systems for 
Marking Shots .... 

Targets used by American Riflemen 

Preparing Rifle Ammunition 

The Art of Bullet Making 

Modern Machinery for Manufacturing 
Rifles 

Round Bullets in Modern Rifles . 

Rifle Shooting .... 



PAGE 
192 

202 



218 
232 
267 

296 
302 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



CHAPTER I. 

DISCOVERY AND PRINCIPLES OF A RIFLE. RIFLES OF 

THE PRESENT. MATERIAL FOR RIFLE BARRELS. 

A RIFLE is a gun the inside of whose barrel is cut with 
spiral grooves or channels, the object of which is to cause 
a projectile of certain weight, which fits the barrel, to 
take a spinning motion when fired from the arm, and 
thereby increase the distance and accuracy of the pro- 
jectile's flight. Rifles may be of any weight, from the 
heaviest piece of ordnance down to the compact pocket 
pistol, though other terms are applied to distinguish the 
different types of weapons. 

From records of the past, there seems to be nothing 
to indicate positively who was the original inventor of the 
mechanical device which has given to the world a weapon 
from which power, pleasure, and profit have been derived. 
It is generally believed that, after fire-arms and gunpowder 
were invented, trouble was encountered, when firing, by 
fouling of the guns ; and it was attempted to remedy this 
difficulty by grooving the inside of the barrels, at first it 
is said straight, and later with spirals, when the discovery 
was made that, by this means, range and accuracy were 
increased. The principle thus discovered formed the 
basis of the weapon which is, to a certain extent, forever 
to be a ruling power of nations. 



I 



2 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

Since the important discovery alluded to was made, 
there have been carried on, intermittingly, with and 
without system, innumerable experiments to solve the 
problem of the proper amount of spiral for the groovings 
and the best charges of powder, to spin various projectiles 
accurately. These experiments have been conducted the 
world over with heavy rifles or cannon, rifles shot from 
the shoulder, or those shot from the hand, the latter 
being classed as pistols and revolvers. 

America has a world-wide reputation for producing 
superior rifles and excellent riflemen ; and desiring to 
treat only of rifles with which the author has had practi- 
cal experience, or privileged to inspect or observe the 
working of, no attempt will be made in this volume to 
describe any but American rifles and those of modern 
invention. 

It has always seemed strange to the author that a 
nation of riflemen, as America can properly be called, 
should know so little about the mechanical con- 
struction of a rifle. Half a century ago many men who 
shot rifles were obliged to make them ; a very intelligent 
class of mechanics they were, and they made very fine 
rifles. With the advent of the breech-loaders, which for 
the past decade have been turned out in such quantities, 
there seemed for a time to be little thought given to 
improving the rifle by manufacturers ; the principal object 
of a majority seemed to be to learn how to make the 
most rapid firing rifle 

No doubt the rifles made by careful mechanics fifty 
years ago were superior in accuracy and durability 
to the early productions in modern machine-made 
breech-loading rifles. The manufacturing of arms by 
machinery reduced the number of hand rifle-makers, for 
hand skill could not compete with machinery. Each 
year since the commencement of the manufacture of 
machine-made rifles in America, these rifles have been 



MODERN- AMERICAN- RIFLES. 3 

improved, though slowly at first ; and the better ma- 
chinery has greatly lessened the cost of production, so 
that at the time of writing the manufacture of rifles by 
hand labor is almost wholly discontinued. 

It is believed by most riflemen that modern American 
breech-loading rifles of to-day are equal in accuracy 
to those formerly made by hand, have the advantage of 
easier and more rapid manipulation, and can be purchased 
at much lower prices. It is not so difficult a task to 
manufacture a good rifle as is generally supposed : it is 
a simple mechanical problem, and does not demand the 
superior skill which is necessary in some other mechani- 
cal productions. For many years the impression pre- 
vailed that there were but few artisans competent to 
produce a rifle ; but to-day there are scores of practical 
riflemen who have made as fine shooting rifles as can be 
found anywhere, and produced them by employing their 
leisure hours in this work, which was an entirely new 
field of labor for them. Some of the most popular cali- 
bres to-day are the results of such individual enterprise, 
and modern American rifles are as much the result of 
investigations of practical American riflemen as of man- 
ufacturers. 

There are really but two component parts to a rifle : 
the forgings, which include all the metal parts, and the 
stock ; but, as a rule, the forgings are known as the 
mechanism, receiver, trigger, trigger-guard, and such pieces. 

The most important part of a rifle is the barrel. No 
matter how perfect is the mechanism of the arm, or fault- 
less the stock and sights, the rifle is of little use with a 
poor barrel. 

The materials used in the manufacture of rifle-barrels 
are iron and cast steel, but more commonly, at the present 
time, of a metal known as gun steel, barrel steel, or decar- 
bonized steel : in fact, it may be said that at the present 
time nearly all first-class rifle barrels are made of steel, 



4 , MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

and generally of what is known to the trade as decarbon- 
ized steel. It is an American product, and manufactured 
at various localities in this country. The steel, as its 
name implies, has been largely deprived of its carbon and 
is soft ; it is made specially for rifle barrels, and preferred 
by most manufacturers to a harder steel. The softer 
metal, it is claimed, has less tendency to crook when 
heated from rapid firing, which sometimes occurs where 
hard steel is used. Elaborate experiments have indicated 
that a steel of the degree of hardness used by most of the 
manufacturers of American rifles to-day gives the most 
uniform results. 

For several years many of the match rifle barrels were 
made of cast steel ; but now one quality of decarbonized 
steel is generally used for both match, hunting and mili- 
tary arms. I know of two rifle-makers who stand as high 
as any in the world, who have repeatedly demonstrated 
that they not only know their trade thoroughly, but are 
experts in shooting rifles. One writes : " I am not in 
favor of hard steel for target rifles, and would back the 
soft steel every time for uniform results." The other 
says : " I prefer plain cast steel for rifle barrels, and have 
used that kind of metal for my best rifles for the past 
thirty-five years. The cast steel barrels are quite hard. I 
think as fine shooting rifles can be made of decarbonized 
steel as of cast steel, but believe the latter will retain their 
fine shooting qualities much longer than the soft, decar- 
bonized steel barrels." 

There is a preference among some makers of muzzle- 
loading rifles for cast steel, but decarbonized steel is gen- 
erally used by manufacturers of modern breech-loading 
rifles. There is an impression that iron is fit only for the 
cheap and unreliable rifles, but recently iron barrels have 
been fitted to first-class rifles in England, and the claim 
made that they possess superior shooting qualities, but 
wear out quicker than barrels of steel. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



CHAPTER II. 

MANUFACTURE OF RIFLE BARRELS. BORING. STRAIGHT- 
ENING. RIFLING. — LEADING AND CHAMBERING. 

The steel used in rifle barrels is supplied to American 
manufacturers by concerns making a business of man- 
ufacturing it. No firm nor company in America, man- 
ufacturing rifles, makes the steel used in their rifle barrels. 
When the steel is to be used for hunting and match rifles 
it is generally made and delivered in round bars, some- 
times octagon, cut often one-half inch longer than barrels 
when finished, and again in bars twelve feet in length. 
These bars vary in weight according to the barrels intended 
to be made from them, — those for heavy Schiitzen bar- 
rels being thicker than those for light .22-calibre rifles. 
Small barrels are generally made from round, and large 
from octagon bars. 

At the present time manufacturers of rifles are able 
to purchase the bars of steel for barrels more nearly 
in the shape of barrels than formerly. If a lot of light 
barrels are to be made the bars are purchased of size and 
shape best suited for such barrels, saving the manufacturer 
considerable labor. 

There is a general opinion among rifle-makers and 
expert rifle shots that the quality of steel has its influence 
on the shooting qualities of a rifle : hence uniformity is 
considered an essential qualification for good rifle steel. 
Manufacturers have succeeded in producing a metal which, 
as a rule, is quite uniform, but at times it varies and causes 



6 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

no little trouble to the rifle-maker. In boring a barrel the 
bit will occasionally strike a hard, gritty substance which 
has been likened to a ploughshare striking a rock when 
ploughing ; pockets and seams are encountered which are 
some of the obstacles which beset the path of the rifle- 
maker, and have not been overcome to such an extent that 
any one can tell positively that a particular bar of steel 
will make a superior rifle barrel. 

If the barrels are to be made from the bars, as is gen- 
erally the case, the first operation is to drill a small hole 
lengthwise through the centre of the bar. If the bars 12 
feet in length are used, they are cut the desired length 
before drilling. After drilling the bar, comes the process 
of reaming, then straightening. The number of reamings 
depends upon the calibre. If the barrel is for a .22-calibre, 
one boring with a solid five-cornered reamer would be con- 
sidered sufficient by some manufacturers ; but, as it is 
difficult to secure a good hole by one boring, the plan 
followed with larger barrels is usually employed, omit- 
ting the nut-boring and quick-boring after drilling, and 
then finish by slow-boring or reaming. The operator is 
supplied with plugs or gauges, and the bar is reamed until 
the proper size has been secured. The turning down and 
grinding process is performed after boring or reaming. It 
is considered desirable by most manufacturers and many 
riflemen to secure a slight taper or choke to the bore 
toward the muzzle : a majority of American rifle-makers 
secure this by a process which will be alluded to later, and 
bore the barrels a true cylinder. One company informed 
the writer that i-iooo inch taper was given in reaming, a 
process certainly not generally followed. 

When the barrels are bored or reamed to nearly the 
desired size, the final work is done with a reamer cutting 
on one edge only, and with a piece of soft pine wood 
known as a spill, placed between the reamer and the wall 
of the barrel. This latter process gives a finer finish to 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 7 

the inside of barrels, and skill and care are necessary to 
perform this latter operation properly. 

It is astonishing to note the variations in time con- 
sumed by different manufacturers in the reaming process, 
which will partially explain the low prices at which machine- 
made rifles are sold, and the superseding of large com- 
panies over the small concerns. A large establishment, 
equipped with the most approved machinery, will do in a 
few minutes what some of the old machines took hours to 
accomplish. 

The bars, as before stated, are generally supplied 
slightly longer than the intended barrels. Sometimes, 
however, the metal is supplied in two-inch round bars of 
the same decarbonized steel ; these are cut into bars 
of about ten inches in length. A ^-inch hole is drilled 
through its entire length ; this bar, or barrel-mould as it 
is sometimes called, is heated and drawn or rolled out to 
the desired length. This latter mode is largely confined 
to military rifles, but some of the long-range match rifle 
barrels have been made in this manner. When the desired 
length has been secured, the barrels are submitted to a 
straightening process, after which they are annealed again, 
straightened, and then submitted to the first and second 
boring. 

A Springfield rifle -barrel, according to government 
reports, is " first-bored " with two twist bits of .37 and .42 
inch diameter respectively, in a quick-boring machine, and 
" second-bored " with a quadrangular bit ribbed with 
splints to a calibre of .44-inch. In the first boring, the 
liits are drawn through the bore, rather than pushed. 
The additional borings are in both directions. The barrels 
at this stage are placed in a lathe and turned down by two 
turnings, then straightened, then a third turning down, 
after which the barrel is once more bored, bringing the 
calibre up to .4445 ; the barrel is then brought down to 
nearly its true size on a large grindstone. When the 



8 MODERN AMERICAN RIELES. 

barrels have reached this stage, they are ready for rifling. 
At the government armories barrels are proved at this time, 
before rifling. Proving American match rifles, especially 
in the small bores, is, as a rule, omitted. 

I have previously alluded to the rifle barrels being 
straightened during the process of boring or reaming. 
This is an important process, and has much to do with the 
shooting qualities of a rifle. The metal has its influence 
on the boring, and the operator at different stages of the 
work inspects the barrel to learn if the bore is perfectly 
straight. This is determined by placing the barrel on a 
rack ; near by is a window, and in or near this window, 
where there is a strong, clear light, is a sheet of white 
tissue paper or a light of ground glass, in the centre of 
which is a horizontal line. The inspector, by looking 
through the barrel at the line, can at once tell by the lines 
of reflection whether the bore is straight or not. Long: 
practice enables the barrel inspectors to quickly detect any 
deviation of the bore, locate it, and correct it. It may 
here be stated that after rifling, the crook in the bore is 
not readily detected. 

If it is apparent that the bore is not true, it must be 
straightened ; and the mode of doing it is by a blow with 
a steel hammer, the barrel being placed on a suitable 
block, with two pieces of hardened steel placed about two 
inches apart, on which the barrel is laid. A badly crooked 
barrel may be straightened, but it is not so likely to be a 
good shooting barrel as one which bores true, requiring 
little or no straightening. Experienced rifle-makers are 
inclined to believe that a barrel that shows a straight bore, 
requiring little or no straightening, possesses the first 
point in favor of its being a fine shooting barrel, though, 
of course, later processes, improperl}^ executed, may injure 
it. A barrel requiring considerable straightening, as 
before intimated, is not likely to prove a good shooting 
one. In fact, I am inclined to take advantage, in the 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 9 

midst of my descriptions, of the opportunity to illustrate 
how delicate ati instrument a rifle is, and how easily it may 
be injured. A bar of steel with a hole bored through the 
centre is delicate and easily affected by a blow. There- 
fore a rifleman should remember that it is desirable to 
avoid letting a rifle fall or receive a blow, as its shooting 
qualities are liable to be lost from such causes. I have 
seen barrels ruined from both of these causes. 

I have observed shooters of long-range match rifles and 
military arms while waiting to shoot, straddle a rifle with 
the stock on the ground and the barrel in the hands, and 
sit on the rifle barrel ; I have seen hunters carry the car- 
cass of a deer or other game and luggage on rifle barrels, 
one at the breech, the other at the muzzle end, and then 
wonder that their rifles did not shoot straight. I have 
observed the antics of militia men who would fence with 
their rifles, striking one barrel against the other ; and I 
know I have ruined the fine shooting qualities of a rifle by 
pounding the front sight in and out of the slot near 
the muzzle. 

A rifle-barrel may be badly crooked after boring ; an 
application of heat will perceptibly straighten it, but a 
barrel that has been straightened by much hammering is 
thought likely to bend by heat of firing ; heavy blows 
on one side of a barrel, it is believed, weakens the metal 
and affects its expansion, as the metal is condensed by 
hammering, and consequently uneven expansion occurs 
when heated. The nearer straight a barrel is bored, and 
the less straightening required, the more likelihood there 
is of its being a superior shooting barrel. 

When the boring and straightening processes are 
finished, the barrels are rifled. 

Rifling consists of cutting grooves, always spiral in 
modern rifles, on the inside surface of the bore, the object 
of which has previously been described. By cutting 
the grooves or channels, a space is left between the 



10 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



grooves, which is called the lands. The grooves in mod- 
ern rifles are helical, but the term "twist" is applied to 
the amount of pitch given to the grooves. The grooves 
are parallel to each other from end to end ; and the twist 
generally uniform. Sometimes the grooves commence at 
the breech with a slow twist, increasing toward the 
muzzle ; then it is said the arm has a gain twist. Most 




Fig. 1. — The Style of Rifling used in most American Rifles. 

modern American rifles are made with a uniform twist, 
those manufactured with a gain twist being almost wholly 
rifles made to order. 

Some years ago it was thought advantageous to have an 
increase or gain twist, and there are still advocates of this 
system ; but judging from careful inquiries I have made 
of those expressing confidence in the gain twist, I find in 
almost every instance they have become converted to this 
belief by reading some of the works on rifle making pub- 
lished many years ago. Since that time, however, the most 
exhaustive experiments have been tried, and nearly all the 
manufacturers of modern American rifles believe there is 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. II 

no advantage in a gain twist, and give a uniform pitch to 
all their rifles manufactured in quantity. 

The grooves and the lands combined are called the 
rifling. Many styles of rifling have been tried ; but after 
exhaustive experiments, which include square and round 
edge, wide and narrow, deep and shallow grooves, a 
majority of American rifle-makers have adopted a style 
resembling what is shown in the illustration Fig. i. 
Manufacturers vary slightly the style of their rifling ; 
some giving much wider grooves than others, and some 
slightly bevelling one edge of the lands. 

The style shown is a square and shallow groove, with the 
bottom of the grooves of the same circle as the bore, fre- 
quently a little wider than the lands, although the U. S. 
Springfield rifle has lands and grooves of equal width. 

The style of rifling, like the twist, is a subject about 
which no end of argument has been indulged in ; also, 
like the question of twist, it has been practically settled ; 
but there always has been, and probably always will be per- 
sons who intermittingly will proclaim to the world that by a 
new system of rifling the accuracy of the arm is materially 
increased, or certain difficulties which have always been 
encountered since rifles were made have been overcome. 
There are some slight variations in the styles of rifling ; 
but I have never seen any radical departures from the 
systems illustrated, which have demonstrated their superi- 
ority. I have, however, seen work done with the system 
of rifling here shown, which, I believe, is all that can ever 
be expected of a rifle with the present ammunition of 
ordinary black powder and a projectile of lead and tin ; 
and most riflemen, who have given years to the study of 
this weapon, believe that the style of rifling in use by our 
manufacturers at the present time is about as near perfec- 
tion as it is possible to get ; and improvement in accuracy 
must come from ammunition rather than from a different 
style of rifling. Undoubtedly the metal-incased or jack- 



12 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

eted bullet of the new small bores needs a different style 
of groove from the old styles used with leaden bullets, so 
as not to cut or break the jacket with which they are 
encased. 

Rifling a barrel is a simple mechanical operation, about 
as follows : — 

After the boring or reaming is finished, the barrel is 
placed in a rifling machine. A rod or spindle, at the end 
of which is one or more cutters of hardened steel, is 
moved automatically through the barrel ; at the end of 
the stroke the motion is reversed and the rod or spindle 
is withdrawn, and the cutter operates on the groove, 
generally cutting one groove at a time, though sometimes 
more, a thin shaving of steel being brought out with each 
cut ; the rod is moved through the barrel again, the 
machine automatically rotating the barrel, and thus the 
cutter is applied to a different groove at each withdrawal 
of the rod. The rifling machine is so constructed as to 
permit of rifling with various twists and adjusted to cut 
grooves of varying depths. The depths of grooves range 
from .ooi}4 to .006 of an inch; generally .003 and .004 
for small bores, and .005 and .006 of an inch for dirty 
shooting. An old rifle-maker of my acquaintance informs 
me that the cutting is done from muzzle to breech. He 
also always cut off from the muzzle, after rifling, from 
}i to % inch to insure the corners of the grooves being 
sharp and clean cut right up to the end. This is done 
for the reason that when the cutter first starts in, it is 
liable to, and usually does, cut slightly rough and irregu- 
lar. In his system of rifling, the cutter rod is passed 
through the barrel from breech to muzzle, and the cutter 
is then placed in position. The rod is then drawn 
through, the shaving removed, the incline which supports 
the cutter is pushed back, allowing the cutter to drop 
below the surface of the cutter head (so as not to scratch 
on its passage back through the bore ) ; it is then passed 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



13 



through to the muzzle again, the incline forced back, so 
the cutter will be the same height as before, and the 
barrel revolved to next groove, and so on until each 
eroove is cut. Then with cutter head at muzzle end of 
barrel, the cutter is raised a trifle, by means of a suitable 
adjusting screw operating on the incline, and then each 




Fig. 2. — System of Rifling employed in the Colt's Rifles. 



groove is cut again as before, and so on till the required 
depth is obtained. The style of rifling shown in Fig. i 
is about what is used in the Winchester, Remington, 
Maynard, Stevens, Ballard, and Hopkins & Allen rifles. 

Figs. 2 and 3 show different styles of rifling. The 
rounding of the corners of the grooves is supposed to 
lessen the fouling. The well-known Colt's rifles are made 
with this style of rifling as well as some of the rifles 
made to order by individuals. 

If a rifle is to be used for dirty shooting, or shooting 
without wiping the inside of the barrel after each shot, 
it is thought by some desirable to cut the grooves deeper 
than when the arm is intended to be shot with a bullet 



14 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

patched or jacketed with paper and the inside of barrel 
carefully cleaned after each shot. The shallow grooves 
are also thought best adapted to the character of pro- 
jectiles used in target rifles. 

The number of grooves in American rifles is from 
three upward. The U. S. Springfield rifle has three 
grooves, the majority of other rifles made in quantities 



Fig. 3. — System of Rifling employed in the Colt's Rifles. 

have from five to eight, according to size of bore, and a 
few rifles are made with a larger number. When over 
eight grooves are used they are generally in rifles made 
to order. It is usual to increase the number of grooves 
as the depth of grooves decreases. The number of cuts 
required to finish a groove varies according to the depths. 
By the hook method some manufacturers using power 
machines give five to eight, others six to twelve, the 
latter being on a hand-power machine. The width of 
groove and quality of stock also have their influence as 
well as the machine. 

All the rifling machines used in this country are of 
American manufacture. The Pratt & Whitney Co. of 
Hartford, Conn., build rifling machines for domestic use 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 1 5 

as well as equipping foreign armories. Many of the 
larger companies, such as the Colts and Remingtons, 
build their own machines, which differ somewhat. 

There are quite a number of hand-power rifling 
machines in existence, and used at the present time. 
The twist is governed in these machines by the spiral 
guide on the lead. Excellent work can be done with 
them ; but they cannot rifle anything like the number of 
barrels a modern power machine can in a day, the latter 
machine being supplied with automatic force-pumps, feed- 
ing the oil, as well as other improvements. 

The twist of a rifle is the amount of pitch given to 
the grooves. A uniform twist is where the grooves 
are regular from end to end ; a gain twist is one that 
increases from breech to muzzle. 

The twist of a rifle is known by the number of inches 
it takes to make one complete turn. A twelve-inch twist 
is where the groove goes once around in twelve inches ; a 
sixteen-inch twist, one turn in that number of inches. 
The above twist might also be alluded to as one to twelve 
and one to sixteen. 

The object of the twist is to spin the projectile, and 
this gives accuracy in its flight. The amount of twist is 
governed chiefly by the length, calibre, and density of the 
projectile. Where bullets are of similar shape and pro- 
portion, but having different diameters, the smaller cali- 
bres require a shorter twist. An examination of the 
following table will show the principles governing this 
question. 

Twist in rifles can be computed on a theoretical basis, 
the density of a projectile affecting the calculation. I 
will treat only of the usual compounds of lead and tin. 
With this material mathematicians assert that a projectile 
of a certain length requires a twist of one turn in a given 
number of diameters to insure accurate flight. A table 
by Major Cundill, an English authority, has been pub- 



1 6 MODERN AMERICAN RIELES. 

lished, from which the following figures, as applicable to 
American rifles, have been deduced : — 

.25-Cai. .35-Cai. .40-Cai. 



Length 
of Bullet. 


Twist. 


Length 
of Bullet. 


Twist. 


Length 
of Bullet. Twist. 


•50 
.62 


21. 1 
15.8 


.70 
.87 


29^5 

22.2 


•80 33.7 
1. 00 25.3 


•75 
.87 


12.7 

10.6 


1.05 
1.22 


17.7 
14.8 


1.20 20.3 
1.40 17.0 


1. 00 


9.1 


1.40 


12.7 


1.60 14.6 


■30- 


■Cal.i 


•38- 


Cal. 


.45-Cal. 


.60 

•75 

.90 

1.05 

1.20 


25-3 
19.0 
15.2 
12.7 
10.9 


•76 

•95 
1. 14 

1^33 
1.52 


32.0 
24.0 

i9^3 
16.1 
13.8 


.90 37.4 
1. 12 28.4 
1.35 22.8 
1.57 I9.I 
1.80 16.4 


•5°- 


Cal. 








1. 00 
1.25 


42.1 
31.6 




1 Most American .32-caL 
rifles are .30-calibre. 


1.50 


25.4 









These figures show about the minimum twist required 
to keep the bullet flying true on its axis ; and by testing 
them they will be found nearly correct, although the shape 
of a bullet will have its effect, and should be taken into 
consideration. Although it is not difficult to figure the 
theoretical twist required to spin a projectile, American 
manufacturers do not depend wholly upon it. 

If one has made a rifle which shoots well it can be 
made a basis for future calculations, and many follow this 
plan. 

Manufacturers of rifles generally decide upon a cart- 
ridge or charge, and make the twist that they think is best 
suited to it. A slow twist will shoot a light bullet 
accurately, but not one beyond a certain weight ; there- 
fore, if a heavier bullet is desired, the twist must gen- 
erally be quickened, or the bullet will not receive sufficient 
spin to make it fly accurately, and, in place of spinning 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 1/ 

on its true axis, will tumble and take an erratic flight. 
Although a slow twist will spin only bullets of certain 
weight, a quick twist will spin a light bullet. Almost any 
bullet, however light, if of proper size and sufficient 
bearing, will shoot with greater or less accuracy, with a 
limited powder charge, in a rifle having the quickest 
twist used by American rifle manufacturers. 

It will be seen by the table giving twists used in 
American rifles, that manufacturers do not agree on the 
question of twist ; but fortunately there is a point in the 
twist which will permit of a projectile of greater or less 
weight being used, and although there may be a certain 
twist best adapted to a bullet of certain weight, it is a 
fact that different twists will spin the same bullet, or 
lighter and heavier bullets, with accuracy. There is an 
inclination by those who seek range and accuracy to shoot 
the heaviest bullet the twist will spin, and this is carried 
to such an extent that bullets will sometimes tip slightly, 
or, as riflemen say, stagger, and still shoot with great 
accuracy ; but often when this is carried to an extreme, a 
series of bullets will shoot with surprising accuracy, fol- 
lowed by one which would not spin on its true axis and 
tumble wildly. 

I can perhaps illustrate this by referring to the calibres 
and charges with which American riflemen are quite famil- 
iar. First, the .38-calibre, which is generally known as 
the .38-55, and is probably as popular a target calibre as 
any American rifle. The usual twist given is one turn in 
18 inches. Manufacturers calculate this twist to spin a 
255-grain bullet, and cartridges loaded for rifles with this 
twist have a lubricated or unjacketed bullet of this weight. 
Riflemen, however, who use this rifle for fine target shoot- 
ing seldom think of using so light a bullet, one weighing 
330 grains being usually preferred. The twist of 18 or 
20 inches handles this bullet admirably ; but it frequently 
tips a little, and occasionally, to use the vernacular of rifle- 



l8 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

men, a bullet will "tumble" and "key-hole," or fail to 
spin on its true axis, and not reach the target, or perhaps 
go through it . sidewise. Yet with this tendency to tip, 
the bullets bunch together closer than with the 255-grain 
bullet which manufacturers advise using. Some rifle 
makers, knowing the inclination of riflemen to use the 
heaviest bullet the twist will spin, increase the twist to 
one turn in 16 inches ; but where rifles are advertised to 
shoot the .38-55-255 factory -loaded cartridge, the producers 
usually decline to make a rifle with as quick a twist as 16 
inches, holding that 18 or 20 inches is better. A number 
of cases have come under my observation where riflemen 
have endeavored to increase the weight of a bullet beyond 
330 grains in a .38-calibre rifle with a 16-inch twist. I 
have never. heard of increased accuracy being gained by 
so doing ; but, on the contrary, the experiment in every 
case I know of proved a failure. I know of one rifleman 
who increased the depth of his bullet-mould a thirty-second 
of an inch. He found poorer shooting followed ; and after 
changing the mould to cast a bullet as at first, or the reg- 
ulation length, the accuracy was restored. 

The .32-40 rifle is another popular target rifle; and al- 
though manufacturers recommend using the 165-grain 
bullet, riflemen incline to a heavier one. All riflemen in- 
terested in the recently introduced .25-calibre central-fire 
rifles, are probably aware of the prolonged discussion 
relative to the twist in this rifle, or the proper weight 
of bullet for the adopted twist. This is another similar 
case. The twist of 15 inches will undoubtedly spin a 
bullet weighing 86 grains, and astonishing accuracy be 
secured ; but it is also certain that the bullets incline to 
tip. 

I have seen ten shots fired into a group which could be 
enclosed in a four-inch circle, the shooting being done at 
a distance of 200 yards from a rest, and every one of the 
bullet-holes showed tipping. I have seen the original 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFJ.ES. 1 9 

targets of the best off-hand scores made by a prominent 
rifleman : sent me to prove the bullets struck point on, but 
in nearly every instance the bullet hole indicated tipping. 
Some of the later experiments I tried with the .25-calibre 
central fire were at Walnut Hill ; and one of these was 
shooting through screens, to learn the trajectory of this 
cartridge. There were present a number of distinguished 
riflemen, as there was considerable speculation as to the 
curve of the bullets of different weights. The factory 
cartridge loaded with a bullet weighing 86 grains went 
through the centre of the screens at 25, 50, and 75 yards, 
making satisfactory holes. At 100 yards it showed a de- 
cided inclination to key-hole; and at the 150-yard screen 
it turned, going through the frame on the right side, mak- 
ing a hole the length of the bullet. It may be said that 
the tissue paper turned the bullet ; but as similar key- 
holes have been observed when not shooting through 
screens, I formed the opinion, after what I had seen many 
times, that the 1 5-inch twist would spin the 86-grain bullet, 
shoot it accurately, but erratic shots would occasionally 
occur. 

When the enterprising Stevens Arms and Tool Co., 
aided by the Union Metallic Cartridge Co., originated the 
.22 long-rifle cartridge, it was necessary to quicken the 
twist in the rifles in which this cartridge was shot, from 
one turn in 25 inches to one turn in 16 inches, to spin 
the extra ten grains of lead. By increasing the bullet 
from 30 to 40 grains, and shortening the twist from 25 to 
16, the range and accuracy of the cartridge were wonder- 
fully increased, so much so that shooting declared to be 
impossible with the old short cartridge was readily per- 
formed with the new. 

As the increased accuracy secured by this change be- 
came known, calls came for other makes of rifles to take 
the new cartridge. One company made the inexcusable 
blunder of rechambering .22 calibre rifles with the old 



20 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

twist and placing them on the market ; they would not 
spin the 40-grain bullet, and at 25 yards the bullets would 
key-hole badly. Several of these rifles came to my notice. 
It was simply a case of insufficient twist for the weight of 
the projectile, a mistake which has often been made, and 
rifle-makers have several times been compelled to with- 
draw lots of rifles from the market on account of this mis- 
take. 

I have alluded to rifles with quick twists shooting pro- 
jectiles of various weights, and slow twists not shooting 
bullets beyond a certain weight. It was shown by a series 
of experiments I witnessed that a .22-calibre Ballard rifl.e 
with a twist which spun accurately the old short rim-fire 
cartridge (3-30) would not spin the long-rifle cartridge ; 
but, changing the twist from 20 to 16, it was found that 
wonderful accuracy was secured by the heavy bullet, and it 
would also shoot the light bullet better than the old slower 
twist. The same was shown in my hunting rifle, a Win- 
chester .45-70, taking the government shell. This rifle 
will shoot a charge of 70 grains of powder and a 500-grain 
bullet with great accuracy, and with satisfactory accuracy, 
under favorable weather conditions, the 405, 330, and even 
300-grain bullets. The 500-grain bullet is too heavy for 
general hunting, and the 330 quite satisfactory to me. 

Greater range is also secured by a heavier projectile ; 
and as a quick twist is necessary to spin heavy bullets, 
modern military rifles are so rifled. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



21 



Following are the twists used in some of the most pop- 
ular American rifles taking cartridges which are in gen- 
eral use : — 





Powder 


Weight 








Calibre. 


Charge. 
Grains. 


of Bullet. 
Grains. 


Twist. 


Remarks. 




.22 r.f. 


3 


30 


20 to 25 


Abandoned by some for 16 and 
inch twist. 


18 


.22 r.f. 


5 


40 


16 to 18 


Long rifle for a .22 cal. r.f. rifle. 
Used by some manufacturers. 




.22 C.f. 


10 


45 


14 to 16 






.25 r.f. 


II 


67 


17 






.25 c.f. 


19 and 20 


77 and 86 


12 to 15 






.32 c.f. 


13 


90 


20 


Becoming obsolete for rifles. 




.32 r.f. 


9 and 13 


82 and 90 


20 






.32 c.f. 


20 


115 


16 to 20 


Winchester. 




.32 " 


20 


100 


24 


Colt's and Marlin. 




.32 « 


35 


165 


16 


Maynard and Stevens. 




.32 « 


40 


165 


16 






•35 "- 


40 


240 


16 to 18 






.38 " 


40 


180 


28 


Colt's and Winchester. 




•Z^ " 


55 


255 


16 to 20 






.38 " 


56 


255 


20 to 25 






.38 " 


90 


217 


26 






.40 " 


40 


265 


18 to 20 






.40 " 


45 


265 


18 to 20 






.40 " 


50 


265 


18 to 20 






.40 " 


60 


210 


40 






.40 « 


62 


210 


40 






.40 " 


60 


260 


25 to 26 






.40 " 


65 


260 


2 S to 26 






.40 " 


82 


260 


28 






.40 " 


90 


370 


18 to 20 






.40 " 


no 


260 


28 






.44 " 


40 


200 


28 






•45 " 


60 


'300 


25 






•45 " 


70 


405 


18 


Sporting. 




•45 " 


70 


405 


22 


U. S. Government. 




•45 " 


70 


500 


22 


i( <i 




•45 " 


85 


295 


25 


Colt's. 




•45 " 


90 


300 


^l 


Winchester 




•45 " 


125 


300 


f 


" 




.50 " 


95 


300 


60 


< 




.50 " 


95 


300 


|4 


Colt's. 




.50 " 


no 


300 


60 






•50 " 


115 


300 


72 


Bullard. 





The objection to a great excess of twist is the liability 
of a very light bullet, backed by a heavy powder charge, 
stripping or being driven across the lands, and not follow- 
ing the grooves ; its tendency to drift is also undesirable. 



22 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

In some instances, manufacturers have declined to state 
the twists used in their rifles, which perhaps they look 
upon as secrets of their trade. It is a very simple matter 
for any one desiring to know the twist of a rifle to learn it 
in the following manner : Place a rag in the slot of a stout 
cleaning-rod. There should be sufficient rag to make the 
wad formed by it fit snugly when pushed into the rifle bar- 
rel, — so snug a fit that some force is required to draw it 
through the barrel. Place the rod with rag in barrel, from 
the muzzle, and push it down near the chamber. A hole 
should be bored through the rod at a point near the muz- 
zle, through which attach a pointer. A pointer may be 
attached to the rod by a clamp if preferred. Align this 
pointer with the rear sight, and mark the rod exactly oppo- 
site end of the barrel, then slowly draw the rod upward, 
and when the pointer has made one complete revolution, 
measure the distance from the muzzle to the mark on the 
rod. The distance will indicate the twist. If it is i8 
inches, it will mean the rifle has one turn in i8 inches. 
The smaller the number or shorter the distance, the 
quicker the twist; the greater the distance, the slower 
the twist. 

After a barrel is rifled, comes the process of leading the 
barrel. One of the objects of this process is to remove 
any burrs or rough places which may be left on the inside 
of a barrel after boring and rifling. It is usually the cus- 
tom of manufacturers to lead after finishing rifling. The 
process is performed by hand or by machinery. It is a 
hard and difficult task to do by hand ; and it can be done, 
it is claimed, more evenly and rapidly by power. A nice 
job can, however, be done by hand. The machine mostly 
used for this purpose is upright with a large balance-wheel, 
having an adjustable connecting-rod for regulating the 
length of the stroke. The leading-rod is fastened into a 
revolving holder, the barrel being held firmly in a fixture, 
breech end up. P^or a leading-rod a steel rod is used as 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 23 

large as can be used with safety and not come in contact 
with the inside_ surface of the barrel. The end of the rod 
for about two inches is drawn out and filed up square and 
slightly tapering, on the four edges of which V-shaped slots 
are filed about ^ inch apart, and in such a way that they do 
not come opposite each other on adjacent corners (this so 
to make a good holding-surface for the lead). A piece of 
cotton cloth is now wrapped around the end of the rod at 
the base of the square part spoken of, sufficiently large to 
fill the bore (a shallow groove having been previously 
made around the rod at this point to prevent the cloth 
from slipping while passing it through the bore), the rod 
passing through the bore to within about % inch from the 
muzzle ; the barrel is set upright in a suitable frame and 
the lead poured. This gives about 2%, inches length of 
lead, say for .45-cal. (less length for smaller calibre). The 
rod is now drawn out far enough to remove the cotton 
cloth, the barrel placed in the machine, breech up, the rod 
fastened, the machine put in operation, and the emery and 
oil applied (oil first). The process of leading is considered 
by many to be a very important one. I cannot better 
illustrate the importance attached to this process than by 
quoting from a communication which I recently received 
from Mr. H. V. Perry, whose rifles have certainly per- 
formed enough excellent work to prove him master of his 
craft. Mr. Perry says : " I always lead or emery after 
rifling. To emery a barrel of the right shape inside, is a 
more delicate and finer job than rifling. No gun will 
shoot finely without being properly treated with emery or 
properly shaped, and in this particular many men fail in 
making really fine shooting-guns. I can spoil the finest 
shooting-gun in the world in just one-half minute with 
emery." 

I have stated that one of the objects of leading or the 
use of emery is for the purpose of removing rough places 
or burrs. There are other things accomplished by this 



24 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

process. If the barrel is of less diameter in bore at any 
point, it can be freed by this process. Often the taper 
or choke, which is considered desirable by most intelli- 
gent riflemen, is secured in leading. Although it has been 
stated by some manufacturers that they secured a choke 
in boring, it is believed that most barrels are bored a 
true cylinder and the taper or choke secured by freeing 
the barrel toward the breech. Few riflemen care to 
purchase a rifle that is smaller at the breech than at or 
about the muzzle ; and, upon inspecting a rifle before 
purchasing, the experienced rifleman will pay but little 
attention to the exterior of the arm, especially if it be a 
breech-loading target rifle, but will take a solid piece of 
lead, and, dropping it into the breech, push it through 
with a wooden or brass rod. To give satisfaction, the bul- 
let should start with a moderate amount of pressure, and 
as it progresses require more force to push it, gradually fit- 
ting tighter as it approaches the muzzle. With such a 
barrel it is thought by experts that a great point is gained 
in securing a good shooting rifle. If, on the contrary, 
the plug requires considerable force to start it at the 
breech, and less as it approaches the muzzle ; or if con- 
siderable force was required to start the plug, and it 
suddenly loosened for a few inches and then tightened, 
it would be rejected by many riflemen. Testing a barrel 
in this manner may be done with a bullet patched, but 
not so perfectly as with the leaden plug. 

From testimony collected, it is evident that most man- 
ufacturers perform the operation of leading after rifling. 
Some believe it better to do this before rifling, and Mr. 
L. N. Walker, for many years connected with the Reming- 
ton's, who is not only recognized as unusually well 
informed on the manufacture of rifles, but a practical 
rifleman, writes me in reference to leading as follows : 
" My experience teaches me that to secure the best 
results, the barrel should be leaded or freed to the proper 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. . 25 

shape before rifling, leaving the only work to be done 
with the lea,d (after the barrel has been rifled and 
properly freed in the grooves by the cutter), to just lay 
the grain or emery surface lengthwise, thus saving the 
wear of the corners of the lands, which occurs in 
leading after rifling, which is often greater than that 
caused by several thousand shots, thus prolonging the 
life of the gun, or at least its fine shooting qualities. 
Two or three strokes with a leading-rod is sufficient to 
spoil the gun for fine work, if not done exactly right ; and 
right here lies the secret of steady elevation, as a gun 
which is all right everywhere else will often show scarcely 
any lateral deviation, but will string its shots up and 
down in a most exasperating way. I have often seen 
guns that, at a distance of 100 yards, would, in a lo-shot 
string, cut a slot several inches in length, extending up 
and down, caused by the first ^ inch of rifling at breech 
being a little dull, causing uneven friction in the passage 
of bullets through the barrel." 

Many rifle barrels are practically worn out by the lead 
when they leave the shop, and will only shoot well as 
long as the sharp scoring of the emery lasts ; and as soon 
as they become smooth or glazed they will vary greatly 
in elevation, caused by the riding of the bullets on the 
driving corner of the lands : this is easily remedied by a 
competent workman. 

The process of leading is sometimes omitted, and the 
barrels polished by moving the cutter back and forth, 
or the leading process performed before rifling. The U. S. 
Springfield rifle was for a long time noted for its rough 
finish inside the barrels ; and many of these rifles were 
leaded out by experts, and the shooting vastly improved. 
As Mr. Perry has stated, a rifle can be ruined by one 
unaccustomed to the work, and it should not be attempted 
except by an experienced person. 

The process of chambering, which is necessary in all 
breech-loading rifles, generally follows leading. 



26 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

This is an important process and in many instances 
improperly done. There is no excuse for poor chambering, 
for it is a simple, mechanical operation, and should be prop- 
erly performed by any first-class mechanic. Chambering 
tools for each style of cartridge are necessary ; these are at- 
tached to a lathe, the barrel set in the lathe, and the chamber 
made. The most approved mode of chambering is to use 
a set of from two to four reamers, according to size, to make 
one chamber, the last one of which is used by hand to 
insure a smooth chamber of unvarying size, and the others 
in a machine. Improperly chambered rifles are the cause 
of much annoyance to riflemen. There is no doubt but 
that the shooting qualities of a rifle may be impaired by 
bad chambering. Perhaps the greatest mistake which 
can occur is in not chambering true in the centre of the 
bore, a fault which is often found in .22-calibre rifles. A 
chambering-tool may be permitted by a poor mechanic to 
slightly turn from its proper course, and upon discovery 
set right, but the chamber would probably be seriously 
injured. A faulty chamber may cause shells to burst, 
permitting gas to escape, endangering the eyes of the 
shooter, fouling the mechanism, and affecting the accuracy 
of the bullet. If the chamber is not true, the bullet, if 
seated in the shell, does not start right, and its accuracy is 
impaired. Poor chambering also causes shells to swell ; 
and if riflemen are able to use them again without swagging, 
they must be marked so as to be inserted in the chamber 
exactly the same as previously. It would be a great boon 
to riflemen, if American manufacturers would arrange for 
one concern to manufacture chambering-tools on a standard 
gauge for all. At the present time it is not uncommon 
for riflemen owning two rifles of different manufacture, 
but shooting the same shell or cartridge, to find that shells 
that have been once used could not be inserted in the cham- 
ber of the other rifle. I write feelingly of this ; for having 
once reloaded a lot of shells and travelled many miles to 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 2/ 

hunting grounds, I discovered that the reloaded ammunition 
could not be forced into the chamber of my rifle. This is no 
uncommon occurrence ; and, having observed it a number 
of times, I use new shells when I go hunting. But care- 
lessness in chambering has been the cause of many poor 
shooting rifles, and caused a great deal of annoyance to 
riflemen. 

Besides a perfect chamber, the entrance to the rifling 
must be right ; and Mr. Walker says of this : " In re- 
gard to chambering, I will only say that no matter how 
accurately it may be done, if the ball-seat or entrance to 
the rifling is not of the right shape or proper degree of 
sharpness, only ordinary work can be done with the gun. 



28 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



CHAPTER III. 

FORGINGS. ADDITIONAL WORK ON BARRELS. STOCKING. 

Although the barrel would properly be included under 
the head of forgings, the term is usually applied to 
the small parts which make up the mechanism or action 
of a rifle, such as the receiver, trigger, breech block, 
hammer, extractor, springs, etc., the number of parts 
varying according to the rifle. American rifles differ 
much in mechanism, and a description of them will not be 
given at present. 

I have already stated that no firm or company manu- 
facturing rifles in the United States produces the steel used 
in the barrels. Only the larger concerns make barrels. 
The larger companies not only manufacture their own 
barrels, but often bore rifle barrels for smaller concerns. 
The smaller firms fit these barrels into their own actions. 
Often such companies as the Winchester, the Remington, 
or the Stevens supply barrels bored and reamed, and the 
small gunmakers rifle and finish the rifles by hand. Be- 
sides, there is a constant demand for new barrels bored 
and rifled, which are fitted into actions invented by 
ingenious mechanics for their own use or experimental 
work. The capital required for a plant which could 
produce all parts of a rifle is large, and in a number of 
instances it is far cheaper to purchase barrels than to 
manufacture them. This is also the case with forgings. 
The machinery necessary to manufacture drop-forgings 
would necessitate a very large and expensive plant, and 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 29 

such machinery would produce far more forgings than most 
of the companies would consume ; therefore this expen- 
sive part of a plant would be unemployed much of the 
time, which would mean a large amount of capital idle. 
For these reasons it is customary in all the rifle factories 
to purchase certain parts, and in some places this plan is 
employed to a great extent. 

The Billings & Spencer Co. of Hartford, Conn., have 
made the forgings for many years for rifles of different 
make, such as Ballard, Marlin, Bullard, Prussian Needle- 
gun, and others. With the object of learning how 
extensively drop-forgings were made, a letter was ad- 
dressed to the above company, asking for such informa- 
tion, and the following communication was received : — 

Hartford, Conn., Nov. 25. 

Dear Sir, — Yours of the 22d at hand, and we herewith submit the 
information requested. For the Bullard Repeating Arms Co. of Spring- 
field Mass., we make drop-forging? for rifle parts as follows : Receivers, 
levers, lock-frames, carrier levers, main springs, trigger springs, extractors, 
guard lever latch, guard lever links, brace, breech block, gear link, brace 
link, racks, bolts, hammers^ triggers, sliding-covers, side plates, loading- 
slides, stirrups, tips, front-tube studs, tube tenants. 

For the Marlin Fire Arms Co. of New Haven, Conn. : Barrel catches, 
wind gauges, Ballard lock-plates, Ballard hammers, Ballard levers, Ballard 
links, Ballard front-sight slides, Ballard Creedmoor-sight slides, Ballard 
back-sight slides, buck-horn sights, Ballard receivers, knife-blade sights, 
Ballard extractors, frames, side plates, hammers, triggers, stirrups, stop 
bolts, pawls, breech bolts, main springs, small-sight levers. 

The Billings & Spencer Co., 

H. E. Billings. 

By this arrangement the smaller concerns are enabled 
to produce rifles in a less expensive plant, and at a price 
which would be impossible if they produced all the 
parts. 

The drop-forging process is one known to mechanics, 
and, having no special interest to riflemen, I will not 
describe it, but state that owing to the development of 



30 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

this and other industries which produce these parts, and 
the perfection of machinery making interchangeable parts, 
an American rifle can be manufactured and sold to-day 
for less than fifteen dollars, which in every way is equal 
in shooting powers to those of foreign make costing over 
one hundred dollars. 

After boring and rifling the barrels they usually pass 
to the hands of the mechanic who cuts the slots for front 
and rear sights, before browning or bluing. I believe 
many riflemen will approve my criticising the stubborn- 
ness with which some of the smaller American manufac- 
turers persist in cutting the slots for sights different from 
the larger concerns. They not only vary in width, but in 
depth! There should be a standard width and depth to 
these slots. The Maynard, Stevens, Remington, Sharps 
and Whitney-Remington rifles were cut with about the 
same width of slot. The Winchester, Ballard, Marlin, 
Bullard, Wesson, and later models of Colt's rifles, were cut 
with another width of slot ; and, to still further complicate 
matters, some of the makers of rifles have in their own 
rifles slots of varying sizes. The same variations exist 
in the screw-holes for rear Vernier sights, which are 
attached to the tangs. Riflemen and hunters have for 
years been annoyed by this want of uniformity. The 
gun-dealers are obliged to keep a larger assortment of 
sights than is necessary ; and both distributers and sports- 
men would be glad if all American rifles manufactured in 
the future were cut with slots of uniform width, and the 
screw-holes of same size and distance apart. 

The Bullard Arms Co. endeavored to accommodate 
those using its rifles by boring a series of screw-holes in 
the tangs of its rifles that they might take any of the 
several varieties of rear tang sights. Mr. James W. 
Carver claims the invention of an elongated slot in the 
base of a tang sight that it might be fitted on various 
rifles. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 3 1 

Following are some of the measurements on American 
rifles measured by a Brown & Sharpe's steel caliper 
Rule: — 

Width of Rear Barrel Slots.^ 

Inches. 
Colt, .22 • 21-64 

Stevens 21-64 

Wesson . . . . . . . 21-64 

Winchester . . . . '. . . 24-64 

Colt, .32-38-44 22-64 

Remington ....... 21-64 

Sharps 30-64 

Hopkins & Allen, old 22-64 

Hopkins & Allen, new ..... 24-64 

Remington, No. 4 . . . . . 24-64 

Maynard 18-64 

Winchester, model '90 ..... 24-64 

Ballard & Marlin 24-64 

Bullard . 24-64 

Width of Front Slots, ^ 

Inches. 

Remington, old 30-64 

Remington, No. 2, new .... 25-64 

Marlin 24-64 

Winchester ....... 24-64 

Colt, .32-38-44 23-64 

Colt, .22 20-64 

Stevens, .25-cal. regular .... 29-64 

Colt, old model . . . . . . 20-64 

Bullard . . . . . . . 24-64 

Maynard 30-64 

Remington, No. 4 24-64 

Sharps . . 27-64 

Hopkins & Allen, old 22-64 

Hopkins & Allen, new 24-64 

Stevens, special . . . . . . 24.64 

Although nearly all the factory-made rifles are made 
with slots cut for front and rear barrel sights, it is a ques- 
tion whether this is the best way to attach sights to rifles : 
many think not, and believe the inexpensiveness of the 
mode of attaching sights is the chief cause of its being 

1 Width of slots vary in rifles of same manufacture. 



32 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

SO generally adopted. One or two small screws, or one 
screw, in base of sight, would permit attaching and de- 
taching or interchanging target and hunting sights much 
more expeditiously than by knocking sights from slots. I 
have previously alluded to rifles being injured by this 
operation, and am satisfied that many rifles have been 
ruined from this cause. 

The case-hardening process, as well as the bluing and 
browning of barrels, generally follows. 

Most of the stocks for military rifles, and plain stocks 
for rifles made in large quantities, are turned out by lathes. 
The blocks of wood are roughly sawed into the shape of 
stocks ; in fact, they are generally purchased in that shape 
by the rifle manufacturer. The blocks are attached to a 
lathe, and the cutter is regulated by a model or pattern of 
steel, having the form of a stock. When the stock has a 
cheek-piece, and generally when of finer quality of wood 
than on ordinary rifles, the principal part of the work is 
done by hand. The stocks on American rifles are perhaps 
acceptable to the majority of riflemen, but many alterations 
are made by individuals. Doubtless a length and bend is 
adopted which suits many, but each year sees an increased 
number of factory rifles restocked. A stock can be turned 
out by machinery in a few minutes : one machine known 
to the writer will do its work in about seven minutes. If 
made by hand, one or two days are often consumed. This 
will show how any deviation from the usual shape will at 
once increase rapidly the cost of the rifle. The cutting- 
away of the stock for the purpose of fitting the metal parts 
is known as "letting in," and the process is performed 
rapidly by machinery, or by hand ; when by hand, the 
same increase in time and cost of production results. 

The sights are next attached, and, as a rule, the rifles are 
shot. In some factories it is evident that the sights are 
not tested, for it is not uncommon to find them attached 
to rifles which cannot be lowered enousrh to shoot accu- 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 33 

rately by aim at 25 or 50 yards ; and again, one may receive 
a rifle with sights which cannot be raised sufficiently to 
shoot with accuracy at an object beyond the above distance. 
Many riflemen have experienced this ; and cases are not 
rare where sportsmen have not discovered their confidence 
in manufacturers was misplaced until they had missed 
game, and later discovered that their rifles were incorrectly 
sighted. At the model factory of the Winchester's men 
are employed who devote all, or nearly all, their time to 
testing rifles, lining up and adjusting the sights. Rifles of 
.22-calibre are usually sighted from 10 to 50 yards, express 
rifles at 100 yards ; and target and hunting rifles from .32 
to .45 calibre, not including the express rifles, are shot at 
200 yards. 

The mode of testing rifles for accuracy and aligning sights 
at the Winchester Company's factory is about as follows : 
A long gun-rack, holding perhaps fifty rifles, is filled with 
new rifles to which sights have been fitted. This rack is 
rolled to a place near by the tester, who is seated by a gun- 
rest. A boy loads the rifles, if they are repeaters, with 
several cartridges. The tester has by him files, a mallet, 
and such tools as he may require to adjust the sights. A 
marker is stationed at the 200-yards pit, where there is an 
eight-inch round bullseye on a paper target. There is no 
centre, inner, or outer to the target ; all that is required is 
a bullseye. The tester, sitting by the rest with ears plugged 
with cotton, commences his work by taking a rifle ; operat- 
ing the lever so as to charge the rifle, he fires a shot ; rest- 
ing the rifle, the marker indicates the location of the shot 
by placing the disk on it ; it may be to the left of the bulls- 
eye. Another shot is fired from the same rifle ; if it is in the 
same locality, the tester quickly takes the mallet, his trained 
eye tells him whether the front or rear sight needs moving, 
and he speedily taps one or the other, sometimes both. 
Down goes the rifle in the rest, another shot fired, which may 
be in the bullseye, another strikes in the black, still another 



34 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

finds its way there, and if three or four shots strike in the 
bullseye, the rifle is passed and another one taken. Often 
the front open sight is too thick or improperly shaped ; a 
quick application of the file to either front or back sight 
generally remedies any defect. It is not unusual for a man 
to fire 300 shots in a day, and when heavily loaded car- 
tridges are used, the effect of such work tells disastrously 
on the nerves. All rifles made by the Winchester Repeat- 
ing Arms Co. are shot for testing the arrangement of the 
sights, and the open-sighted rifles which come from this 
factory are better sighted than any others I have used. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 35 



CHAPTER IV. 

RIFLE SIGHTS. FRONT OPEN SIGHTS. 

Rifles are fitted with sights to aid one in pointing the 
arm in such a manner as to hit with a bullet a desired 
object. There being but one projectile fired from a rifle, 
it is essential that the aim be accurate, and to aid in this a 
guide or sight is affixed at the muzzle and another at some 
point on rear of barrel or tang ; thus, if there is no allow- 
ance to be made for wind or drift, the front and rear guides 
or sights being in the centre of the barrel, the two are 
aligned, and the rifleman is aided in pointing or aiming the 
rifle on a point he desires the bullet to strike. A very 
slight error in pointing or sighting a rifle, unless the object 
sighted on be quite near or very large, is likely to cause 
the bullet to strike wide of the mark. 

There is an endless variety of sights, from the simplest 
forms to the most complicated — -sights so coarse and crude 
that tremors caused by unsteady holding can scarcely be 
perceived ; while others are so fine and delicate that the 
pulsation of a person in normal condition will cause the 
sights to dance about in a most confusing manner. .Even 
if shooting from an apparently solid rest, at times one may 
experience great trouble in holding a rifle still if sights are 
very fine or magnifying. 

The simplest forms of rifle sights are known as plain 
open sights. They consist of a thin, upright piece of 
metal or other substance affixed to the centre of the barrel 
directly over the centre of the bore, near the muzzle, with 



36 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

an edge, generally not over ^ inch in thickness, toward 
the breech, and a rear sight, generally set in the barrel at 
a point toward the breech, which in its simplest form would 
be a thin, solid piece of metal affixed crosswise, generally 
by a slot in the barrel. The centre of the rear sight should 
also be directly over the centre of the bore of the rifle, 
and that point indicated by a V-shaped notch, a semi- 
circular notch, an aperture or a line, in order that the 
rifleman, when aiming, may bring the centre of the bore 
at rear end of barrel in line with centre of bore at muzzle, 
and finally in a line with the object desired to hit with the 
bullet. 

Undoubtedly, sights have much to do with the shooting 
qualities of a rifle, and I believe a majority of riflemen 
think improvements can be made over rifle sights now in 
use. Probably such is the case, but individually I believe 
that an immense amount of mechanical ingenuity has been 
wasted in trying to overcome difficulties which are physi- 
cal, vary in individuals, and change in the same individuals. 
I have briefly mentioned the simplest forms of rifle sights, 
and do not hesitate to state that, with the front and rear 
sights placed the proper distance apart to suit individuals, 
with perhaps shaping these plain sights as desired, fine 
shooting can be done with a rifle fitted with the plainest 
sights. 

Front sights may be made of any suitable material 
sufficiently strong. Iron, steel, brass, and German silver 
are the usual materials employed. Those of iron or steel 
are usually black, and brass and German silver their natural 
color, the bases of the latter two being of iron. I should 
consider the essential points in a plain front open sight to 
be about as follows: i, strength; 2, stability; 3, shape; 4, 
color. I have seen fine shooting done with an open front 
sight improvised from a piece of wire twisted around the 
barrel and a point used for a sight ; but it was neither 
strong nor fixed, and useless for reliable or rough work. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 37 

The usual way of affixing a plain front open sight to a 
rifle is by a slot cut in the barrel near the muzzle, into 
which is set a base, which has a piece of metal set parallel 
with the barrel with a narrow edge toward the breech. 
Such sights, if properly made and set in a slot, are stable. 
If the front sight is strong and secure, the shape may 
next be considered. The first two points would provoke no 
controversy among riflemen, but the latter two will 
probably always cause an endless amount of discussion. 
It is generally known, however, if a front sight is of the 
same height, front and rear, or a thin square piece of 
metal set in the base, it could not be seen with the desired 
clearness, and to remedy this the sights are cut away at 
the end toward the muzzle. The sharp corners of sights 
are often rounded off to prevent cutting or tearing any- 
thing it is brought in contact with, but this process often 
diminishes the distinctness of the sight. 

Some of the most common forms of open front sights 
are illustrated: — ■ 

Fig. 4 shows a plain front open sight of German silver. 






Fig. 4. — Winchester 
Open Front Sight. Figs. 5 and 6. — Rocky Mountain Front Sight. 

Figs. 5 and 6 represent a Rocky Mountain front sight. 
It is composed of steel, and is blue-black with a platina 
line. 

Fig. 7 is known as a Knife-Blade front sight, and is 
composed of German silver, or, if preferred, of ivory. 

Fig. 8 shows another form of open front sights. 

Besides the forms illustrated are others corresponding 
to individual ideas of riflemen, which are composed of 
gold, silver, copper, and other materials. 

There is a front open sight which is favored by certain 



38 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



riflemen, which is generally called an open bead. It is 
made to resemble the pin-head target sight ; but, as it 
is used largely on hunting rifles, it is of necessity much 






Knife-Blade Front Sight. 



Fig. 8. 
Stevens Front Sight. 



Fig. 9. — Winchester 
Express Front Sight. 



Stronger and is made somewhat similar in shape to the 
knife-blade front sight, but by cutting a line on each side, 
when on the rifle and sighted on, it has the appearance of a 
pin-head sight. It is generally used on express rifles, 
where a quick and not necessarily fine sight is taken. 

The Winchester Co. manufacture a sight somewhat like 
the one described, which is known as a front express sight 
and is shown in Fig. 9. The tip toward the shooter is of 
a light metal, while the balance of the sight is black. 

Front open sights are generally used for hunting and on 
military rifles, as it is believed that such a sight is suffici- 
ently fine for game shooting or in warfare. It is desirable 
to. have a front sight which is strong, simple, can be 
quickly and clearly seen for such purposes, and a front 




Figs. 10 and II. —Open Pin-Head Sights. 



open sight would undoubtedly be chosen for such work. 
But it has been found that, under certain conditions, the 
black or blue steel sight, or the brass, German silver, or 
platina sights are not clearly seen, and to remedy this, 
tips of platina or gold and other devices have been added 
in order that the sight may be distinctly seen in an uncer- 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 39 

tain light or when the sun is shining. After years of 
experimenting^ I think it can be safely stated that no sub- 
stance has been found equal to ivory. The tipping of 
front open sights with ivory, bone, or horn, to avoid glitter 
or to illuminate it in uncertain light, is no modern inven- 
tion ; but great improvements have been made within a 
few years, and almost perfect ivory-tipped sights are now 
supplied at very low prices. 

The uncertain definement and glittering of the front 
sight has always been annoying to those who hunt with a 
rifle, and many individuals have improvised open front 
sights with suitable tips to overcome this difficulty. The 
first person I heard of manufacturing ivory-tipped sights 
in quantity in America was Mr. Walter Cooper of Boze- 
man, Montana, a practical rifle manufacturer and sports- 
man, who devised a front and rear sight of considerable 
merit. In a letter v/hich I received from Mr. Cooper, he 
so graphically recites the difficulties encountered with the 
old metallic sights, and which prompted the invention of 
the Cooper sights, I extract from his communication. On 
this subject he writes under a recent date : — 

" Your letter to Mr. Benham, requesting electrotypes 
of my rifle sights, was handed me by that gentleman, and 
I take pleasure in sending you the cuts wanted ; and as 
the subject of rifle sights is a very important one to sports- 
men, particularly to those who have had experience on 
the plains, I have taken the liberty to add, by way of ex- 
planation, that the sights illustrated by the enclosed cuts 
were produced after many years' practical experience on 
the plains, and, in my opinion, reach as near perfection for 
open sights as any that will be produced in the near 
future. It may be well to add here that I am not, and 
have not been, engaged in the manufacture of sights, am 
not in any way connected with the gun business, receive 
no profits therefrom, and have no interest in the adver- 
tisement of these sights, some of which cannot now be 



40 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



made owing to the fact the machinery for their produc- 
tion has been destroyed. 

" I have from earliest boyhood taken a lively interest in 
hunting and shooting matters, and have observed from my 
first experience on the plains, that rifle sights were more 
complained of than any other article or implement used 
by the hunter or sportsman — by the hunter most because 
the rifle, being his means of support, becomes his constant 
companion and dearest treasure. He uses it constantly, 
and in all sorts of weather and every stage of atmosphere. 
In the early morning, when the faculties are most acute 
and the rays of the sun are least dazzling, his aim is 
unerring : he thinks his rifle a perfect weapon, has no dif- 
ficulty with his sights, his every want is supplied, he is 
happy. We next find him on the plains in search of food 
in mid-day. The earth is hot, the grass crisp and dry, the 
sun glaring with all its brilliancy. He has toiled for hours 
to approach a band of antelope ; he is in the act of select- 
ing from the herd a good specimen ; he takes aim. Ah ! 
he takes down his gun, examines the sight, rubs the front 
sight with his greasy coat-sleeve, wipes the rear sight care- 
fully, aims again. Does not shoot ; again examines his 
sights, wipes the gun barrel, aims again ; mutters to him- 
self, 'That front sight is four feet high, no notch in the 
rear.' He now prepares to shade the front sight with 
his hat ; no go; game becomes restive, he must shoot; 
shoots, misses ; shoulders his gun, goes to camp empty 
handed, cursing the gun, its sights ; and you will find him 
tinkering at those sights the first opportunity that pre- 
sents itself. 

" Having cast my lot on the plains west of the Missouri 
River in 1858, I was for eighteen years almost constantly 
in camp ; knew personally all the noted hunters, scouts, 
and mountain men from Mexico to Great Salt Lake. Kit 
Carson, Maxwell, Marianna, and Bridger, were among my 
early acquaintances, and often companions, on plains and 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 4 1 

mountains. I soon found by practical experience that the 
double-barrelled muzzle-loading rifle I considered a perfect 
weapon in the back woods of Michigan, with sights regu- 
lated for 80 to 100 yards, a bright silver bead in front, and 
a fine clean notch in the rear sight, arranged expressly for 
the keen eye of a young hunter of sixteen, must, to be use- 
ful, undergo important changes. I first took it from its 
case for use in the Platte River Valley near Fort Kearney. 
The whole plain was covered with antelope. To my sur- 
prise I missed my game ; this, of course, was partly due 
to my underestimating the distance, and partly to the fact 
that during mid-day I found the greatest difficulty draw- 
ing an accurate bead on the side of the antelope, with its 
mixture of white and reddish color. This was the case, 
more or less, with all sorts of game ; but the greatest 
trouble was always experienced in hunting antelope, in 
early morning and late in the evenings. In cloudy weather 
no difficulty was experienced. In the spring of i860 I 
was at Bent's Fort, where a large number of trappers and 
hunters had congregated, having come from all directions 
to dispose of their furs and skins, spend their hard-earned 
money, get a new supply of tobacco, powder, and other 
necessaries, and have a general good time before going to 
the mountains for another hunting and trapping excur- 
sion. 

"The Hawkins and Demmick rifles, made at St. Louis, 
were used almost exclusively by frontier and mountain 
men ; these guns generally being half stock rib, single 
barrel, muzzle loaders, half-ounce ball, sighted usually for 
200 yards point-blank, no raised sights were used. My 
sojourn of six weeks at this place, in the companionship 
of these hardy Western men, many of whom had spent 
their lives on the plains, convinced me that none had yet 
discovered a perfect rifle sight. All complained and 
agreed that during certain conditions of the atmosphere 
the rifle was almost a useless weapon. I was constantly 



42 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

experimenting with my sights. As early as 1863 I made 
many styles of bone sights, but they were always frail, 
easily broken, and not reliable. I finally, in the year of 
1869, established a sporting-goods house at Bozeman, 
Montana, and shortly after produced my improved front 
sight (Fig. 12), the blade of which was made of solid steel. 



Fig 12 —Cooper's Improved Front Sight. 

the top being milled out with a milling tool ^-inch in 
diameter ; in this groove was fitted very carefully a thin 
piece of good ivory, secured by a pin ; the sight was fin- 
ished and polished, the ivory removed, the steel case nicely 
blued, and the ivory placed in position; the blade was then 
firmly fastened in the slide or chair, and was ready to be 
placed in the gun ; it was intended to have this ivory 
reach down the blade to within 1-16 of an inch of the bar- 
rel to enable the shooter to draw close to the barrel for 
long shots when without raised sights in the rear. The 
sight was so constructed that when the gun was set up, or 
rested against any hard substance, the steel would always 
first touch and support the weight of the gun ; by this 
means a very durable sight was made, — more durable 
than any soft metal. With this ivory tip no difficulty was 
experienced in any state of atmosphere." 

Later, Mr. William Lyman commenced the manufacture 
of ivory-tipped sights, and has produced them in a variety 
of styles, well made and cheap enough to be within the 
reach of all desiring to use them. The illustrations (Figs. 
13 and 14) show the different styles produced at Mr. Ly- 
man's factory. It is likely that the ivory-tipped open 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES, 



43 



sight would not be selected by a majority of riflemen for 
target shooting- but it is astonishing what good results 
can be obtained at this work when one becomes accus- 
tomed to them. But for hunting, in my opinion, they are 



5^ 




Lym jp Front S uht on Rifle. 



Fig 14. 

Lyman Ivory-tipped Front Sight with 

Square Corner. 



superior to all others, and one who has once used them 
will rarely abandon them. 

Illustrations 15 and 16 show styles of front open sights 
which are preferred by some, and certainly very fine shoot- 




Fig. 15. — Front Open Sight. 



Fig. 16. — Front Open Sight. 



ing can be done with them. It seems evident, however, 
from their limited use, that they are not preferred by a 
majority of riflemen. 

Illustrations 17 and 18 show the open front military 
sights as formerly used. There is a tendency at the pres- 



Fig 17. 
Open Front Military Sight. 




Fig. 18. 
Open Front Military Sight. 



ent time to make the later patterns of front military sights 
finer, which I consider a mistake. From close observa- 
tion I have formed an opinion that many riflemen are 



44 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

handicapped by a fine open front sight ; those with a cer- 
tain degree of fineness are so sharp as to make them liable 
to cut the rifleman. When front sights are very fine they 
are not likely to be sufficiently strong ; they are liable to 
bend and cannot be seen so readily when taking quick shots, 
and rapid firing is often necessary, and practised by those 
using open-sighted rifles. 

I think there is a popular impression that the finer the 
front sight the better shooting can be done. It has been 
repeatedly shown that this is not so. As you decrease the 
thickness of the front sight you increase the tremor or 
motion and multiply the blur. Some of the finest shoot- 
ing known to the writer, with open front sight, was with 
one one-eighth of an inch thick. Mr. George C. Thaxter 
of Carson City, Nevada, is an advocate of a wide front 
sight, and has done some wonderfully fine shooting at the 
target with a sight an eighth of an inch in thickness. 

The effectiveness of a front open sight depends much 
upon its shape ; by this I mean that with a certain shape 
there is want of clear definement or a blur exists. Often 
with such an unsatisfactory sight, a few touches with a 
file will transform the sight into a very satisfactory one. 
For me, there is no front sight for hunting equal to an 
open one with a square corner. I have tried to persuade 
myself that a bead on the front sight was the proper thing, 
but in time I find a file and square the edges of the sights, 
which always results in an improvement in my shooting. 

I always have the front open sight lower at the muz- 
zle-end and the sides chamfered off, commencing gradually 
at the end toward the breech and increasing toward the 
muzzle-end. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



45 



CHAPTER V. 



RIFLE SIGHTS. 



REAR OPEN SIGHTS AND REAR PEEP SIGHTS. 




In connection with the front open sight are various 
forms of rear open sights, the plain V or the circular notch 
perhaps being the most common and the simplest form, as 
shown in Fig. 19, and which is affixed to 
the barrel in a slot. With such a sight 
there is no arrangement for elevation, and 
one must secure it by drawing a medium or 
coarse sight, i. e., seeing through the notch 
little or more of the tip of the front open sight. This mode 
of sighting is considered undesirable by many, unless 
obliged to take a quick sight, and the elevation is secured by 
raising the rear sight. A common sight for this purpose is 



Fig 19. —Plain Rear 
Open Sight. 




Fig 20 — Winchester Rear Step Sight. 



shown in Fig. 20, and is known as a rear step sight. An- 
other rear open sight is known as the leaf sight, or folding 
sight, and is shown folded and raised in Figs. 21 and 22. 
Besides these sights, are the express sights, which have sev- 
eral leaves which fold down close to the barrel. Fig. 24 is 
the Winchester express sight, used with the one shown in 
Fig. 8 ; and that shown in Fig. 25, is used in connection 



46 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



with Figs. 6 and 7. The above sights, with the exception 
of the express sights, are manufactured in America, by 
quantity, and are supplied with American rifles at a low 
price. The folding express sights are more expensive 




Fig. 21. — Winchester Leaf Sigiit Foided. 




Fig. 23. — Cooper Operi Front Sight 
with gauge. 




Fig. 22. — Winchester Leaf Sight Raised. 



sights, because they are usually imported or made by hand 
to order. Figs. 26, 27, and 28, show the rear Cooper sight, 
front and rear view, with sight raised in Figs. 26 and 28, 
and down on 27. This is used with the front ivory-tipped 
Cooper sight, Fig. 12. Mr. Cooper says of these sights : 




Fig. 24. — Winchester Express Rear Sight. 



Fig. 25. — Rear Express Sight. 



" The three cuts marked Figs. 26, 27, and 28 show my 
improved rear sight in three positions ; Fig. 27, down, 
shows it as the ordinary buckhorn sight, made carefully 
with milling-tools, the purpose being to produce a raised 
sight, effective for distances up to 500 yards, that could be 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 47 

adjusted to a nicety by thumb and forefinger, with the gun 
in firing position, and at the same time the operator could 
shoot through the same notch. These sights were made 
with a white platinum line next the eye, either with or 
without a notch, and by using with the ivory tip front 
sight, Fig. 12, the rifleman could draw "3^ perfect bead on the 
siin^ without the least glimmer, if the eye had the strength 
to withstand its glare. This was a test that never failed 
to decide the purchaser in favor of these sights. In place 
of ivory in front sight, Fig. 12, I often used gold, platinum, 
and phosphor bronze, the latter being the best-known 
metal for front sights. The set of rifle sights above de- 
scribed enjoyed a wide-spread popularity among buffalo 
hunters, who used very heavy guns, nine-tenths of the 
game being killed with open sights at from 200 to 500 
yards' range, using from 90 to 100 and 120 grains of 
powder. Experience will teach any sportsman, that if he 
hopes for success, he cannot count upon fancy rifle sights : 
he must select sights that will serve him best under all 
circumstances and conditions of weather, as well as those 
least liable to become disarranged. If he hunts in the 
Michigan backwoods, he will meet game at short range ; if 
on the plains or in the Rocky Mountains, he must be pre- 
pared for either long or short ranges." 

Mr. Cooper also made a front open sight which was so 
constructed as to permit gauging the amount of front 
sight taken. An illustration of this sight is shown in 
Fig. 23. 

There is a plain open rear sight, favored by some, which 
consists of a plain bar, either fixed like Fig. 19, or like the 
Winchester leaf sight. Figs. 21 and 22 ; but in place of the 
V is a plain bar with a white line down its centre. The 
front sight is brought in line with the line on rear sight, and 
when one becomes accustomed to it, it is claimed as good 
shooting can be done with it as with any open sight. One 
reason the advocates of this sight favor it, is on account 



48 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



of freedom from blurring, so annoying to many who use 
the plain open sights. The sights thus described are the 
simplest in use. The front sight is generally fixed fast in 
a slot in the barrel. All the rear sights but the first give 






Fig. 26. 
Cooper Sight Raised. 



Fig. 27. 
Cooper Sight Down. 



Fig. 28. 
Cooper Sight Raised. 



elevation by arrangements for raising or lowering the 
cross-bar or flaps. 

Mr. William Lyman of Middlefield, Conn., manufactures 
such sights, and they are shown in Figs. 29 and 30. 

There is a drift to a bullet fired from a rifle, increased 
by distance and the wind, therefore one must often either 
aim to right or left of the object desired to hit. To avoid 
this, a wind-gauge is often used, a simple form being a 
sliding bar, largely in use on military rifles, and to some 
extent on hunting rifles, especially if the arm is shot much 
at the target. Fig. 31 shows an excellent one made by the 
Winchester Company. There are also quite similar 





Fig. 29. Fig. 30. 

The Lyman Bar Leaf Sight. 



arrangements for the buckhorn sight, the Sharps rear 
open military sight, and others. Front open sights are 
sometimes operated by a screw, but this mode does not 
find favor with many riflemen. The sliding bar on the 
rear sight has its objections. Many hunters would not use 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



49 



such a device, for it is liable to be knocked out of place, and 
the rifle fired with several points of windage the wrong way, 
which might result, if shot at one or two hundred yards, 
in the bullet striking wide of the object shot at. The 
same result would be likely to occur if a sliding-bar rear 
sight were used on a military rifle. Most intelligent 




Fig, 31. 
Winchester Wind-Gauge Open Sight. 



Fig. 32 
Barnes Rear Open Sight. 



American riflemen have long since expressed their dis- 
approval of a rear wind-gauge with a sliding bar on hunting 
or military rifles. A very effective device has been applied 
by the writer to a Winchester open wind-gauge sight, 
which prevented accidental slipping of the bar and yet 
permitted its use for windage. Holes were bored in each 
end of the sliding bar, and a small screw fitted to each ; 
when the windage required was obtained, the bar was set 
fast by the screws. If a change was desired in the 
windage, one screw was loosened and the other screwed in. 
When hunting, the sight was set fast. 

The screw movement has been applied in various devices 
to open rear sights with wind-gauges. One excellent 
device was worked out by Mr. F, M. Barnes, of Michigan, 



50 MODERN AMERICAN RIELES. 

who applied it to the Sharps military rifle, and it probably 
would have become popular had not the manufacture of 
that arm been discontinued about the time it was perfected. 
This sight is illustrated in Fig. 32. 

■ The foregoing represents the most common forms of 
open front and rear sights. There are many combination 
and odd sights which might properly be classed with 
open sights, but I will allude to them later. 

As before stated, front open sights are used and pre- 
ferred by a majority of riflemen on hunting and military 
rifles. The accuracy of a rifle depends largely upon 
correct sighting, and to accomplish this the sights must 
be clearly and distinctly seen. The rear open sight fails 
to satisfy many, as blurring and an uncertain vision are 
experienced. But others who use the rifle express a 
preference for open sights, and a lengthy and prolonged 
discussion on the merits of open rear sights and the rear 
peep sight has been carried on in the columns of Shooting 
and Fishing, and other sportsmen's papers. The advocates 
of the rear open sight claim that there will be no blurring, 
if the rear sight is affixed at the proper position on rifle 
barrel, and is the right shape. This is doubtless true to a 
great extent : but as most American rifles are machine- 
made, a point is selected which is likely to suit a majority 
of riflemen, the slot cut and open sight attached ; as a 
result, some persons find it difficult, if not impossible, to 
do satisfactory shooting with a rear open sight. 

It is generally known that one of the causes of the 
trouble experienced in seeing distinctly with plain open 
front and rear sights, is on account of the position of the 
rear sight on the barrel, and a few attempts have been 
made to remedy this by an arrangement for adjusting the 
rear sight to a desired point. These arrangements were 
only applied to a few rifles made to order, and not to 
factory-made rifles. 

The expense of such arrangements did not permit of 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 5 i 

their being applied to machine-made rifles, and consequently 
they have neveT become well known. 

Rifles used for game shooting are generally fitted with 
an open front sight. I have formed an opinion, based on 
my experience, that the front sight is least important of 
all. A plain open sight of almost any material, if suffi- 
ciently strong and firmly attached in the proper place, will 
answer for target or game shooting. I believe a more 
correct sight can be taken with a front open sight, shaped 
so as to bring the apex nearest the eye instead of semi- 
circular, and prefer a square edge like this, I, to any pin- 
head or other shaped sights. But this is a point indi- 
vidual preference must govern. 

From the time rifles were first made, to the present, 
there have been complaints of imperfect sights. In fact, 
before the introduction of the rifle the same trouble was 
experienced by those who shot the cross-bow. The chief 
cause of the trouble is the variation in the human eye. 
It is presumed that the ancient bowmen learned to affix 
to their cross-bows a plain open front sight ; many such 
can be seen in European museums. It was then discov- 
ered that a rear sight or guide was necessary to direct the 
aim, and relics of the past show these bows with rear open 
sights attached. Then it was discovered that one person 
required the rear sight in a different position from an- 
other ; but even then it was found that if a person tried to 
sight over a rear sight on the front sight, and on an object 
desired to hit, there was an uncertainty of vision. Sooner 
or later it was discovered that the eye was a human self- 
adjusting lens, varying with individuals, which could be 
focused on but one object at once. 

A very simple experiment will illustrate the focusing 
power of the eye. Look at an object one foot from the 
eye steadily for a half minute, then suddenly transfer the 
gaze to an object three feet away, and there will be an un- 
certain vision until the eyes are focused ; when the vision 



52 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

is clear, look at letters a foot away from you, after which 
at an object a hundred yards away. All this will show 
that it is impossible to focus the eye on three objects at 
different distances at one time with satisfactory certainty 
of vision. The rear open sight is intended to guide the 
eye correctly to the front sight ; but the optic focuses on 
it, unless trained not to, which I shall refer to later, and 
hence the blur so much complained of. The earliest at- 
tempts I know of to remedy this trouble was by the an- 
cient cross-bowmen. There is in the Tower of London a 
cross-bow made early in the 17th century, with a combined 
elevating and rear wind-gauge sight with an aperture. I 
have seen several ancient English flint-locks with rear peep 
sights, all of which prove that past generations sought to 
overcome the difficulty we experience to-day, by dispensing 
with the rear open sight ; for the reason that most persons 
shooting a rifle will attempt to focus the eye on the front 
and rear sights. It was found centuries ago that by em- 
ploying an aperture, the vision was more certain because 
the shooter looked through the hole and avoided focusing 
the eye on it (Fig. 33). The peep sight can be used advan- 
tageously with a front open sight ; and while some prefer 
front and rear open sights, and it is known that good 
shooting can be done when the shape and position of the 
open sights are suited to individuals, and the eye trained to 
the use of such sights, it is generally admitted that superior 
shooting can be done with rear peep and front open sights. 
For many years American rifles fitted with rear peep 
sights had them attached either in the slot made for the 
open sight or on the tang of the rifle. Those attached at 
the tang were, as a rule, on rifles used solely for target 
shooting, and often those affixed in the slot on the barrel 
were combinations of open and peep sights. I believe the 
most potent argument in favor of rear open sights has 
always been, it enables the rifleman to take a quick sight. 
It is undoubtedly true that a quicker sight can be taken 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



S; 



with a rear open sight than with a rear peep sight, if the 
latter is placed on the barrel where the rear open sight is 
generally affixed, but it seems equally true that a more ac- 
curate sight can be taken with the rear peep sight if suf- 
ficient time is permitted. The average person cannot use 
a peep sight which is beyond a certain distance from the 




Fig. 33. — Sight on an ancient cross- 
bow in Tower of London, showing 
Peep Sight and Lateral Slidlng-bar 
Wind Gauge. 





Fig. 34. — Rear Peep-Sight in ancient 
flint-lock Rifle. 



Fig. 



35. — Connbined Open and Peep Sight for 
attaching to barrel of rifle. 



eye, or an open rear sight nearer than a certain point. In 
other words, most shooters must bring the peep sight near 
the eye to use it to best advantage, and the open sight 
must be placed a certain distance from the eye. There 
is no one point where the open and peep sights can be 
affixed and be seen and used to the best advantage. 
Quickness in sighting is essential in rifles used for hunt- 
ing, hence the peep sights on barrels have never been pop- 
ular on arms for this purpose, and open front and rear 
sights have been preferred the world over, until Mr. 
William Lyman invented his rear sight. The Lyman 
sight is undoubtedly one of the greatest inventions con- 
nected with rifle sights for hunting-rifles. In writing of 
this sight I am aware that there are advocates of open 



54 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



sights who, in their zeal have put forth magnified state- 
ments evincing a strong prejudice against the Lyman 
sight. I believe also that some writers, who have strongly 
indorsed the Lyman sights, have claimed for the sight 
more advantages than it possesses. Riflemen are inclined 
to draw hasty conclusions, basing claims on their own suc- 




Fig. 36. — The Lyman Sight. 



Fig. 37.— The Lyman Sight, show- 
ing construction. 



cess with rifles and sights, ignoring others' experience and 
struggling frantically to prove their judgment superior. 
Scores of men form opinions of rifles or sights on one or 
two successful shots, hence much testimony recorded in 
sportsmen's papers indicate hasty utterances based on 
slight experience. 

The Lyman sight accomplishes what any peep sight 
does : it prevents focusing the eye on the rear sight, leav- 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 55 

ing the front sight to be aligned on the object desired to 
hit ; and as all objects beyond a certain distance are in 
focus, the uncertain vision is largely overcome. The peep- 
hole or aperture is larger than in ordinary peep sights 
with but little margin, is near the eye, and thus a more 
certain and far quicker sight can be taken than with an 
ordinary rear target peep or an open rear sight. Eleva- 
tions can be controlled and secured quicker than by rais- 
ing the open sight. However necessary a small aperture 
in the rear sight may be for some, it has been shown that 
fine shooting can be done with the largest aperture on 
the Lyman sight. A very small peep hole is thought to 
be necessary for fine target-shooting, and would undoubt- 
edly be chosen by a majority of shooters for such work, 
but a small peep hole prevents quick sighting, and there- 
fore is not popular on a hunting-rifle. Mr. Lyman pro- 
vides for those desiring a small peep hole by giving two 
sizes of apertures, the smaller one fitting inside the larger 
one, attached by a hinge, which can be easily changed 
from one to the other. 

Most sportsmen who hunt with a rifle have experienced 
the difficulty of drawing the front sight down into the notch 
of the rear open sight, when taking a quick aim, and when 
following with the sight a moving object. This difficulty 
Mr. Lyman has endeavored to show in the illustrations, 
Figs. 38 and 39. But with such a rear open sight as he 
shows in this illustration, the sportsman often loses sight 
of the game entirely, and is obliged to raise his eyes 
above the sight to find the game, and then endeavor to 
draw the front sight into the notch of the rear sight with 
the chances much in favor of again losing sight of the 
game. 

By use of the Lyman rear sight, besides the absence of 
blurring, is the ability to see moving objects when taking 
a quick sight, or sighting ahead when aiming to hit a mov- 
ing object. 



56 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



The combined open and peep sights which are attached 
to the barrel are intended to be used as follows : the open 
sight for hunting or quick shooting, the peep sight for long 




Fig. 38. — Illustration showing the dfficulcy of sighting on a running deer 
with some rear open sights. 

shots when hunting, and at stationary objects or target- 
shooting. Such sights, including the Buffington military 
sight attached to the late issues of the U.S. Springfield 
rifle, and which I shall allude to later, are, to me, unsatis- 
factory ; and from the testimony of others, I cannot help 
believing that my impressions are shared by many rifle- 
men. I never yet saw a combined open and peep rear 




Fig. 39. — Illustration showing the advantage of the Lyman Rear Sight on 
moving game. 

sight affixed to a barrel, or sighted through at the same 
position on the barrel, that gave complete satisfaction, or 
was as good as either a regular open or a peep sight 
attached at the proper places. 

I think a majority of riflemen believe a rear peep sight 
is more reliable than an open rear sight, especially in a 
good light and with deliberate and careful aim. The 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



57 



arguments between the advocates of open rear sights and 
peep sights have, -it is thought, not differed except on the 
questions of the danger of the Lyman rear sight striking 
the eye, and whether it was superior in a bad light. It is 





Fig. 41. — Lyman Wind-Gauge Sight tor 
Express Rifles. 




Fig. 40.— Lyman Wind-Gauge Sight. 



Fig. 42 —Lyman Wind-Gauge Sight 
tor Express Rifles— Upright. 



pretty generally admitted that a rear peep sight overcomes 
the blurring so likely to be found in a rear open sight, and 
if placed on the grip of a rifle, the increased distance 
between the front and rear sight is generally conceded to 
be an advantage. The Lyman rear sights are much in 
favor at home and abroad, and a volume of testimonials, 
expressing satisfaction with the sight, could be obtained. 
It has been repeatedly shown that very accurate shooting 
can be done with a Lyman rear and a front open sight. 



58 . MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

All that any reasonable rifleman could desire from hunt- 
ing sights, so far as accuracy is concerned, has been 
accomplished with these sights ; and cases are not rare 
where those who have given them a fair test at the target 
have equalled their work with Vernier, aperture, and pin- 
head target sights. 

The controversy in Shooting and Fishing on the 
Lyman sights brought out, it is thought, about all the 
good and bad points of these popular sights, and a careful 
summarizing of the opinions of the numerous correspond- 
ents showed a large majority in favor of the sights. The 
points argued against these sights were : danger in strik- 
ing the eye by the recoil, the clogging of the aperture 
with frost and snow, inability to see through the aperture 
in a bad light, danger from falling on the sight when in 
an upright position. The chief points of superiority 
claimed almost wholly by practical sportsmen were : 
increased quickness in sighting, absence of blurring, 
increased accuracy gained by clear sight and increased 
distance between front and rear sight, better control of 
elevations, quickness in elevating sight. It was shown 
that accidents had happened by the sight striking the eye, 
when used on a Winchester repeating rifle, model 1886, 
which necessitates setting the sight nearer the eye than 
in other models, as well as when on a heavily charged rifle 
giving considerable recoil. It was shown that frost did 
clog the aperture; but testimony was not wanting to show 
that both of these mishaps could be avoided with care, 
and the charge of inability to see in a poor light seemed 
to bring forth testimony showing that at such times the 
Lyman sights possessed advantages over the open sight. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 59 



CHAPTER VI. 

COMBINATION RIFLE SIGHTS. 

As rifles are used for so many purposes, and under so 
many different conditions, it is thought desirable by some 
to have them fitted with combination sights. Doubtless 
there are varying conditions which make a certain style 
of sight much more desirable than another, such as a 
black front sight for target shooting and a white one for 
game shooting. In my opinion many of the combination 
sights, though quite ingenious, are likely to prove delusive 
to the rifleman ; and attempts to combine one or more 





Fig. 43.— Beach Open Sight. Fig. 44.— Beach Pin-head Sight. 

Styles of sights in one are often failures. Combination 
sights are much in favor, and probably always will be, and 
some of them possess merit. Perhaps the best-known 
front combination sight is the Beach sight. Fig. 43 shows 
it as open. It is generally used in connection with a rear 
open sight attached to barrel, though it may be used as 
shown, in connection with a Lyman rear or any peep 
sight. Fig. 44 shows the sight converted into a pin-head 
or globe sight. The Beach sight is designed to use as 
follows : As shown in Fig. 43 with the open rear sight, 
and as in Fig. 44 with a rear tang peep sight. I will 



6o MODERN AMERICAN RIELES. 

illustrate how this sight has proved delusive. The open 
and pin-head sights, on all the sights of this style I have 
ever used, were of different heights. Riflemen seldom 
know this, and I have repeatedly observed sportsmen, 
while using either the open or peep, change the front 
sight from one style to the other, and be puzzled at the 
varying elevation, finally concluding they could shoot best 
with one or the other, and knowing nothing about the 
difference in height. There is a little knob on top of the 
loop which I never could see any good use for, and I long 
ago made up my mind that the average person could do 
much better shooting with a plain open front sight. 
Sometimes an aperture is used in place of the pin-head, 
giving a combination open and aperture. They seldom 
agree in height, and as there is a strong inclination on the 
part of those using a combination front sight to change, 
they frequently cause disappointment. 

But certain combinations in sights seem desirable and 
popular among riflemen. I often shoot a hunting rifle at 
the target, and as I have ivory-tipped front sights on all 
my hunting rifles in preference to any others, I have con- 
cluded that, however excellent an ivory-tipped sight was 
for hunting, a black sight pleased me best for target 
shooting. I once made a sight, which proved to be an 
excellent one, which would come under the head of com- 
bination sights. It was constructed as follows : Taking a 
Beach combination sight, I removed the combined open 
and pin-head, as well as the loop, and substituted two 
open beads of the same height, one black, the other with 
an ivory tip. The black tip I use when target shooting, 
and the ivory tip when game shooting. It gives perfect 
satisfaction, and I think it is one of the best front sights 
for such a rifle I ever saw. 

It is apparent that many riflemen have recognized the 
convenience of a combination sight showing either a 
black or white front tip, for within a short time several 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



6i 



have been produced with more or less merit. I recently 
received one from Mr. James W. Carver, of Pawlet, Vt., 
which possesses merit. It is a reversible sight, one edge 
being fitted with an ivory and the other with a black bead ; 
a loop or shade is attached, which can be used to shade 
the sight or turned down as preferred. This sight is 
different in principle from the Beach. The Carver sight 
is fitted in a base and reverses on a post ; the Beach, 
having a spring underneath, tips over. 

There are sights operating the same as the Beach com- 
bination which set low on the barrel, are without a loop, 
and can be quickly changed from an open to an aperture 
sight. There are several designs of open sights which 




Fig. 45. 



Fig. 46. Fig. 47. 

ComDinaiion Front Siglncs. 



Fig. 48. 



permit of target sights being attached by a screw. Figs. 
45 and 46 shows one patented by William Maynard. Fig. 
47 shows an open sight which is fitted into the base of a 
wind-gauge sight. This permits of a wind-gauge sight 
being used for target shooting, and an open sight easily 
applied to base, to be used in connection with a rear open 
or peep sight. 

I have alluded to the difficulty of seeing satisfactorily 
with a combined open and peep sight affixed at one point 
on the barrel, for the reason an open sight should be 
placed farther away from the eye than a peep sight, to 
satisfy most riflemen. A very ingenious and effective 
combination rear open and peep sight has been devised by 
Major C. W. Hinman, who uses it on a Stevens' pocket- 
rifle, in connection with the sight in Fig. 48, which would 



62 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



also be classed as a combination front sight. Fig. 49 
shows this sight used as a peep sight in connection with 
the pin-head in Fig. 48, and Fig. 50 shows it turned over 
forward, which brings the open sight the correct distance 
from the eye for the designer of the sight, and which is used 
in connection with the open top sight shown in Fig. 48. 




Fig. 49.— Major Hinman's Combination Rear Sight— as a Peep Sight. 



Nearly all sights for special military rifles would be 
classed as combination sights, prominent among them 
being the Remington special military rifle sight, which, 
when folded lengthwise of the rifle, can be used as an 
open sight. But its merits are best shown when used as 
a peep sight, and it was chiefly used as such. Elevations 
and windage can be finely adjusted with this sight, as it 
has a Vernier and elevating screw, a screw wind-gauge 
and a spirit-level. In the opinion of the writer, it is a 
poor open sight, a good target sight ; but gives much 
better satisfaction used solely at the target. It is a mill- 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



63 



tary sight only in name, and is best suited for target 
shooting. 

Fig. 51 shows the Stevens' rear combination open and 
peep sight, which is affixed to the rear part of the barrel 
of rifles and generally used in connection with the sight 
shown in Fig. 48. 




Fig. 50. — Major Hinman's Combination Rear Sighi — as an Open Sight. 



Perhaps no combination military rifle sight is better 
known in America than the Buffington sight. This sight 
has been adopted by the United States Government, and 
is attached to the national arm, the Springfield rifle. It 
enjoys considerable popularity, because fine target shoot- 
ing can be done with it. It seems to be the outgrowth 
of that absurd and useless arm, the special military rifle 
introduced a few years ago, which was a disguised match 
rifle. The Buffington sight is a good target sight, but I 
think a bad one for a military rifle. The sight is so well 
known I will not attempt a description. Its merits and 
demerits are quite well known at the present time. A 




64 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

few things can be said in its favor. It certainly has 
demonstrated that a rear peep sight is greatly superior to 
an open rear sight for fine shooting, especially at ranges 
beyond 200 yards. The Buffington sights will not stand 
the ordinary uses military rifles are subjected to. The 
folding of the sight but one way is absurd in any military 
sight, as they are easily broken off. 
The sight quickly works loose, and it 
is no uncommon thing to see soldiers 
equipped with a hand-vice or plyers to 
move the screws operating the wind- 
gauge or elevating slide, for if these 
screws can be operated by hand they 
work loose, and if set tight enough to 
prevent such mishaps, the average man 
finds it difficult to operate the corru- 
gated screw-heads without lacerating the 

Fig.51.— Stevens' Rear Com- r \ CCL l.^ 

bination Sight. fiugcrs. As an army officer recently 
wrote, " It is a sight for peace and not 
for war, which meant it is fit for target shooting and 
not for battle." 

The rifle sights I have written of thus far are the plain 
open and combination front and rear sights, and such 
sights as are used chiefly on rifles for hunting or warfare. 
I think most sportsmen believe it desirable to have three 
sights on such rifles — a front sight, a mid sight on 
barrel, and a tang sight. Were one to use a rifle solely 
for hunting, a front ivory tip would satisfy most. If used 
at the target a portion of the time, a sight which could 
be changed from an ivory tip to a black would probably 
suit a majority. A rear open sight is preferred by many; 
but this sight should be arranged to fold down close to 
the barrel when not in use, if a third or tang sight is 
included. The tang sight should be chosen according to 
the ideas of the sportsman. 

I think all military rifles should be equipped with a 



Modern American rifles. 65 

plain open front sight, a set of leaf sights on barrel, and 
rear peep sight attached to tang, the latter so sunk into 
the tang as not to be easily injured, and out of the way 
when rapid firing is resorted to. The rear peep sight 
would then be placed at the proper position on the rifle, 
and could be used for target shooting, or picket firing 
and folded down out of the way when drilling, marching, 
riding, or in rapid firing. 



66 MODERN AMERICAN RIELES. 



CHAPTER VII. 



TARGET SIGHTS FOR RIFLES. 



Rifles for target shooting exclusively, are supplied 
with various styles of sights to aid the marksmen in 
securing fine shooting. As a rule, rifles used in this style 
of shooting are not the best, or even suitable for hunting 
or warfare. 

There are many devotees to rifle-shooting who have no 
desire to kill game or participate in warfare ; they recog- 
nize rifle-shooting as a clean out-door sport, and seek only 
for an instrument which is capable of the finest work, or 
one which will make the best target, and, therefore, the 
question of practicability is not considered. They are indif- 
ferent to the trajectory of the bullet; are willing to exert 
any amount of labor in loading, cleaning or sighting the 
rifle; and desire every known appliance to aid them in 
making fine targets. 

The sights for such rifles are numerous, and the great 
variety of forms are the result of the diversity of opinion 
in regard to the best style to secure superior results. It 
is usual, with target sights, to provide for fine adjust- 
ments for elevation and windage, and employ such forms 
of sights as will permit pointing or aiming the rifle with 
the greatest accuracy. 

There is less difference of opinion in regard to the rear 
than the front target sight. Without doubt, a majority of 
riflemen recognize an advantage in target shooting by se- 
curing as great a distance as possible between the front and 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



67 



rear sights. Were shooting to be done with the marksman 
lying on his bac1c or side, the sight would probably be placed 
near the heel of the rifle, as practised by most of the long- 
range shooters ; but most of the target rifle-shooting at 
the present time is done off-hand, therefore the popular 
mode of attaching Ihe sight is on the tang at the grip of 
the rifle. Fig. 52 shows the Win- 
chester rear Vernier peep sight. 
This fairly represents the style of 
sight used by a majority of Ameri- 
can target shooters for a rear sight. 
There are other rear sights, some 
without the screw for raising and 
lowering the peep hole, making it 
less expensive; and various forms, 
slightly different ; but most of 
these sights are nearly alike and 
accomplish the same object. 

For a front target sight there 
are two forms which are almost 
universally used. Figs. 53 and 54 
show the Winchester Globe Sight, 
with interchangeable disk, permit- 
ting the use of a pin-head or aper- 
ture sight. This sight is 
used on rifles where it is 
not necessary to provide 
for windage, or when a 
wind-gauge is combined 
with the rear Vernier sight. 
Fig. 55 shows the Win- 
chester front target and 
wind-gauge sight, and such a style of front sight of differ- 
ent makes is, perhaps, the most generally used of any front 
target sight. Aperture or pin-head sights can be used, 
and nice adjustments for wind secured. 




Fig. 52.— Winchester Rear Vernier Sight. 



6S 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



The sights named fairly represent the styles of target 
sights used to-day by most marksmen. As they are made 
in large quantities, the prices are astonishingly low, and 




Figs 53 and 54. —Winchester Globe 
Sight. 




Fig. 55. —Winchester Front Wlnd- 
Gauge Target Sight. 



so much SO that it forbids competition by inventive rifle- 
men or mechanics, who can only supply a limited class at 
a much higher price. Many riflemen are ever ready to ex- 
periment, produce, or investigate new sights, prompted by 
the desire to procure the best instruments for fine shoot- 
ing. I think if the testimony of all American riflemen 
could be secured, it would show that a great majority be- 
lieve that for non-magnifying sights for target shooting, 
there is nothing better than a plain open sight, a pin-head 
or an aperture front sight. I have seen many forms of 
disks for front target sights, and present some in the 
accompanying illustrations which have been tried with 
a varying amount of satisfaction. 

Most of these disks are made of metal, some of glass ; 
the fragility of the latter makes it less desirable than the 
former. Sights which hide any part of the targets, so 
as to make them dangerous, are forbidden by most rifle 
associations, and should not be used. It is usual to 
prohibit the use of a bar or rim of over 8-iooths of an 
inch, on aperture or similar sights. 

Although the many styles of front target sights shown 
have been tried, there is no doubt that the great mass 
of target shooters prefer either an aperture, a pin-head 
or a plain sight. 

The oldest target rifles known were in many cases 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



COMPOSED OF GLASS OR METAL. 



69 







©ee 

S00OO0 
0©©(T 






Front Sights Generally Permitted. 









@® © © 





Front Sights Generally Disallowed when Arranged as Slio7vn. 




Fig. 56. — Various Forms of Front Target Sights. 



^o 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



fitted with rear wind-gauge sights, and many of them 
were equal if not superior, to modern productions. The 
great majority of American target rifles have for many 



r^^^ 





Figs. 57 and 58. — Old English Target Sights. 



years had the wind-gauge at the muzzle end of the rifle ; 
but recently many riflemen have expressed a preference 
for a rear wind-gauge sight on a target rifle. It is claimed 
by some that the tang of the rifle is the best place for a 
wind-gauge sight, both for safety and convenience ; and 
so much has been claimed for such sights, that me- 
chanical ingenuity has been inspired, and several meri- 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



71 



torious combined rear wind-gauge and Vernier sights 
have been produced. It cannot be claimed, however, 
that all of these modern productions are wholly original. 
I have in my library an English work entitled " Manual 
of Rifling and Rifle Sights," edited 
by Lieut. -Col. Viscount Bury, M. P. 
This work was published in 1864, 
and illustrates numerous styles of 
rear wind-gauge sights for target 
rifles, which were in use in England 
many years before. I present four 
of them. Figs. 57, 58, 59 and 60, 
and leave it for the reader to judge 
of the resemblance of some more 
modern sights to these. 





Figs. 59 and 60.— Old English Combined Elevating and Wind-Gauge Target Sight. 

The Remingtons, at one time, made a few rear wind- 
gauge sights for long-range rifles ; they were excellent 
sights, but expensive. Practical riflemen have in several 
instances, exercised their ingenuity, which has resulted 
in several meritorious productions. The Soule sight is 
very popular with the expert target shooters at Walnut 
Hill. It is the invention of Mr. J. W. Soule, a fine 
mechanic and rifleman. It is shown in Fig. 6i. This 
sight has, besides many merits, a number of original points. 



72 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



I never knew of the micrometer being applied to a rifle 
wind-gauge sight before Mr. Soule employed it. The 

Carver sights have lately- 
been introduced ; most 
of the rear sights of this 
manufacture have a wind- 
gauge in connection with 
the elevating arrange- 
ment. 

Mr. W. Milton Farrow, 
the well-known rifleman, 
produced a rear sight 
which gives elevation 
and windage. It is fa- 
vored by some riflemen. 
Mr. D. L. F. Chase and 
Mr. Albert Law, of the 
Massachusetts Rifle As- 
sociation, two practical 
riflemen possessing su- 
perior mechanical skill, 
have perfected such 
sights, and use them on 
their own rifles. It is 
the opinion of many 
that some of the obso- 
lete target sights, and 
those of recent inven- 
tion, in use by the designers, are superior to a number 
of those manufactured in quantity. The greatest fault 
with many of the combination sights is the want of 
compactness. 




Fig. 61. — The Soule Rear Target Sight. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 73 



CHAPTER VIII. 

TELESCOPE RIFLE SIGHTS. 

For many years telescopic sights have been popular 
among a class of rifle-shooters ; their chief use being con- 
fined to target shooting. A number of years ago much 
of the target shooting was done with telescope sights ; but 
on the formation of the National Rifle Association of 
America, the use of all magnifying sights was prohibited, 
and consequently all local rifle clubs affiliating or adopting 
the rules of the National Association forbid the use of 
such sights. 

Telescope sights have their uses, and, although the action 
of the N. R. A. caused an unpopularity of telescope sights, 
there are among the great body of American riflemen, 
many who recognize not only the merits but advantages 
of such sights under certain conditions, and a number of 
rifle clubs formerly forbidding their use now permit them. 
The National Rifle Club, an old organization which usually 
holds its semi-annual competitions at Vernon, Vt., has rec- 
ognized the telescopic-sighted rifle as necessary for secur- 
ing the best results in its style of rifle-shooting, and but 
few rifles shot by members of this club have been without 
such sights. 

The telescope sight also finds favor among a certain 
class of hunters, some of whom from defective vision are 
permitted to continue the sport of game shooting with a 
rifle which could not be indulged in without these mag- 
nifying sights. 



74 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

The use of telescopic sights is even recommended for 
military arms to be used for picket work. There is no 
doubt an increased number of advocates of the telescopic 
sight each year, and, although most riflemen will admit that 
the use of such sights will be limited, those who have 
investigated the different departments of rifle-shooting 
generally recognize the advantages of such sights under 
certain conditions and their legitimate place in the various 
departments of rifle-shooting. 

There is a popular impression that the application of a 
telescope to a rifle immediately overcomes much of the un- 
certainty in sighting. This is fallacious ; for as you mag- 
nify your vision you increase your errors in holding, so 
much so that few can use the telescopic-sighted rifle 
advantageously in off-hand shooting. 

A poor telescope is a detriment rather than an advan- 
tage, and undoubtedly a plain open-sighted rifle would do 
better work than a rifle fitted with a poor telescope or a 
good telescope improperly attached to a rifle. 

From my observations, I have formed an opinion that 
no one in America has done more to perfect the rifle 
telescope than the late Wm. Malcolm, of Syracuse, N. Y. 

Mr. Malcolm in a short history of rifle telescopes, which 
he prepared to reply to the many letters of inquiry he 
constantly received, said : — 

" Of all the arts and sciences, there is none perhaps 
so little understood, or of which so many are profoundly 
ignorant, as that of optics. In the majority of cases and 
more especially by manufacturers of gun telescopes, it 
is simply understood that a transparent medium (glass 
or pebble), made round and thicker in the centre, placed 
at certain distances from each other, magnify the object ; 
but should the glass be made more dense than usual, they 
are utterly at sea, must either make new lenses or manu- 
facture indifferent instruments. Had they a scientific 
knowledge of optics this would not occur. 



MODERN AAIEIUCAN RIFLES. 



75 




Fig. 62. — Stevens' Rifle with Malcolm 
Telescope. 



Fig. 63.— Stevens' Hunter's Pet Rifle 
with Malcolm Telescope. 



"J^i MODERM AMERICAN RIFLES. 

" Short telescopes were used many years ago by turkey 
shooters, but the results were not satisfactory. A num- 
ber of years ago the sharpshooters and riflemen of the 
country conceived the idea, that a telescope made light 
and of small diameter would greatly improve the accuracy 
of the rifle. The rifle at that time was supposed to be 
accurate, and if properly sighted and held, to be capable 
of putting one ball after another in the centre of a target, 
or in hunter parlance, ' to shoot straight.' 

"]. R. Chapman, an eminent English civil engineer, 
then residing at Oneida Lake, Morgan James, Chas. A. 
Spencer, the late celebrated optician, of Canastota, to- 
gether with some others and myself, began experiment- 
ing in the production of an accurate telescopic sight for 
rifles ; each one following and working out his own ideas, 
often conferring with each other, comparing notes, and 
from time to time working together. 

" We found first that much of the poor shooting must 
be attributed to the rifle itself. That long telescopes, 
extending the whole length of the rifle barrel, were 
less damaging in their errors than those of one-half the 
length ; that a small error in the telescope would be in- 
creased, by magnifying power, at the target about twenty 
times. We found that the utmost accuracy must attend 
the making of curves of lenses, and that the polish of the 
lens was not so essential as correct curves. Incorrect 
curves distorted the target and located the ball hole where 
it was not, when seen through the telescope. (I often 
have sent to me now to be repaired, modern rifle tele- 
scopes that have damaging distortion attending them.) 
We found that each lens setting and cross-hair must be 
well fitted to tube, made permanent by two screws thread- 
ed in the setting and not in outer tube. We found that 
all this would not produce good shooting unless the at- 
tachments were properly made, in fact, we were two or 
three years perfecting this part of the telescope, I made 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



77 



the discovery of the intermediate lens in 1870, since which 
time better shooting has been done by my customers, as 
it corrects almost entirely the errors of distortion. 



Fig. 64. —Ballard Rifle 
with Mogg Telescope. 



Fig. 65— Stevens' New Model 
Pocket Rifle with Mogg Tele- 
scope. 



Fig. 66. — Marlin Rifie 
with Pierce Tele- 
scope. 



" The late Wm. Billinghurst would not receive from me 
a telescope without this addition, so well was he convinced 
of its superiority. Soon after we perfected the telescopic 



y8 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

sight, so that it was reliable, numerous gun-makers all 
over the country began to make rifle telescopes, making 
two or three a year. They were full of errors, and only 
about one in ten could be relied upon for accuracy. The 
consequence was, they brought discredit upon telescopic 
sights in general. A great error might lurk unobserved 
in a fair-looking telescope. I began to improve the 
optical part of my telescope by means of an achromatic 
and pebble lens of peculiar curves — my own conception 
— producing thereby a rifle telescope with large field, 
correct image and accurate in its performance, far superior 
to any then made, and for less money than the gun- 
maker could. The consequence was, I made all the tele- 
scopes used by these gun-makers for a number of years 
and only for the last few years have I had any competitors. 
If they, my present competitors, make good and accurate 
telescopic sights, I hope they will succeed ; if on the other 
hand, they make poor work, they will not, and do not 
deserve to. I am firmly convinced that a poor, inaccurate 
telescopic sight is much more detrimental than a globe 
and peep sight, aforesaid, as it increases the actual error 
of the rifle twenty times at target. Rifle makers them- 
selves should caution their customers against poor tele- 
scopes which might destroy the reputation of a really 
good shooting rifle. I deem these remarks important as 
there are so many shooters who think that any telescope 
that looks well ought to direct the ball accurately, and 
condemn the rifle through ignorance of the errors in the 
telescope. Up to 1870 the general opinion was, that 
although the telescope was all right for target, it could 
not be depended upon for hunting in the woods where the 
light was feeble. After my discovery of the intermediate 
lens, the concentration of light was accomplished, so that 
the objects seen inside of telescope were lighter than those 
outside. I made several of this class of telescopes for 
Western riflemen. Amone; the number was W. S. Burn- 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



79 



ham, the eminent astronomer of Chicago; also H. W. S. 
Cleveland. In<i88o I made for the President of the Lick 
Fund, at the Observatory at Mt. Hamilton, Cal., one of 




Fig. 67. — Muzzle-Load- 
ing Rifle with Pierce 
Telescope. 



Fig. 68. Fig. 69. 

Whitworth Military Rifle with Davidson Telescope. 



this class of telescopes, of one inch in diameter. He used 
it in the dusk of evening with success. Mr. Schoonwald 
of Monterey, Cal., has three of 9-16 inch diameter. Per- 



8o MODERN- AMERICAN RIFLES. 

haps the best rifle telescope that ever left my shop, (tak- 
ing its small dimensions into consideration) was one made 
for Dr. Perry of N. Y. City in 1884. It was 12 inches in 
length, by ^ inch in diameter ; and was so absolutely free 
from error, that after passing the scrutiny of several 
Astronomers and opticians, was pronounced " perfect " and 
a marvel of optical achievement. Chas. Slotterbek of 
Cal, has in the last ten years bought of me, for his cus- 





Flg 71.— End, Muzzle View, Double 
Rifles. 



Fig. 70.— IVIuzzle View on long-range rifle 
showing rib, telescope tube and cells 
holding object lens and deflecting 
prism. 




Fig 72. — Rock Crystal Disk cross- 
hairs, showing elevation and wind- 
gauge. 



tomers, more than 150 of these hunting telescopes. Mr. 
McFarland of S. Australia uses on horseback one of this 
kind of telescope, for kangaroo hunting. I am explicit in 
regard to this class of rifle telescope as it is generally sup- 
posed that a telescopic sight is not appropriate for hunting 
purposes. The reason is, they have never seen anything 
except the dark and small field, always a characteristic of 
inferior telescopes. 

" Great care should be taken to have the fastenings 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 8 1 

solid, with no lost motion, so as to prevent the recoil of 
rifle from jarring telescope loose. 

" It will not surprise any one to be informed that the 
focus of eyes varies in many persons. Some from old 
age, others from an abnormal fulness of the crystalline 
lens. These conditions of far and near sightedness would 
prevent objects as well as the cross-hair from being seen 
by all unless the focus of telescope was changed to com- 
pensate for this irregularity. I have a simple arrange- 
ment connected with all of my telescopes that makes this 
adjustment complete for all conditions of eyes. Without 
this arrangement a telescope may be good for a few 
persons whose eyes are like the makers of the telescope, 
but there would be others who could not derive any benefit 
whatever from it. Many of the cheap telescopes made 
nowadays are of this last kind, although they are the old- 
fashioned kind of twenty years ago, when riflemen were 
satisfied with keeping their shots at 40 rods in a ten-inch 
ring ; but for fine target shooting of the present day, the 
telescope must be finely adjusted as for a cross-hair and 
distance, and be able to quarter a ball hole with the hairs 
at 40 rods." 

During the Civil War in America a number of Whit- 
worth rifles were shipped from England for the use of 
Confederate sharpshooters ; an illustration of these rifles 
with telescopic sights is shown in Figs. 68 and 69. 

The use of telescopic sights for hunting is well illustrat- 
ed in a communication to the author, which was published 
in Shooting and Fishing. It was from a very intelligent 
rifleman living in Cerro Gordo, California, who had used 
telescopic sights on hunting rifles. Of these he says : — 

" The discussion in Shooting and FisJiing in regard to 
the use, value, and advantages of the telescopic sight, as 
usually attached to game and target rifles, has induced me 
to give a little of my experience in the use of the tele- 
scopic sight as applied to game and target rifles. 



82 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

"In the year 1865 — after the war — I crossed the 
plains to the Rockies, carrying with me a Sharps rifle, 
.52-calibre linen cartridge, government caps. The rifle 
was fitted with a fine Malcolm telescopic sight. The 
following year found me, with this rifle, camped with a 
band of hunters and trappers in the Wind River Moun- 
tains, at that time a paradise for large game, and scalping 
Indians. The rifle itself, as well as the telescope, was 
something of a novelty in that region in those days, and 
much was the discussion as to the merits and demerits of 
the telescopic sight. Within a year from the time I 
joined the band, every one of that little company of 
hunters and trappers procured, and had fitted, the best 
Malcolm telescopic sights to their muzzle-loading rifles. 
Years afterward I met two members of that little band 
of hunters. They had discarded their muzzle-loaders and 
were equipped with Sharps rifles, model 1874, fitted with 
the best procurable telescopic sight. They declared that 
they would just about as soon not have a rifle at all as 
to have one without a telescopic-sight attachment. All 
hunters, prospectors, trappers, and scouts, that I have 
ever met, having once used a telescopic sight and become 
accustomed to it, will never afterward willingly use any 
other. 

" The telescopic sight, as generally attached to the rifle, 
has its disadvantages as well as its advantages. Among 
its disadvantages may be enumerated : its high cost and 
its liability at all times to become disabled from rough 
usage. The fittings become loose, or the tube becomes 
sprung or bent. The projecting eye-end offers at all 
times a standing menace to become entangled in the 
clothes or bridle-rein or tie-rope. Bushes and small limbs 
have a faculty of clinging to it, — any one of which may 
cause such an injury as for the time being to render the 
telescope useless. 

" Appreciating from long use the superior advantages to 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 83 

be derived from a telescopic sight as attached to the game 
rifle, I, some years ago, after considerable experimenting 
and the expenditure of a considerable sum of money, 
devised a method of attaching the telescope to the hunt- 
ing and target rifle, which overcame the faults of con- 
struction as generally applied. My method of attaching 
the telescope to the rifle makes it perfectly solid and 
secure from injury in the ordinary vicissitudes to which 
it may be subjected in rough mountain and forest 
life. 

" At the present time I have four rifles fitted with this 
improved telescopic-sight attachment. 

"No. I is a Sharps rifle, model 1874; weight, 9 lbs., 
30-in. barrel, automatic shell ejector, .40-calibre, 3j^-in. 
taper shell ; its regular charge being 100 grains Curtis's 
& Harvey's No. 6 powder, and a 300-grain express 
bullet. 

" No. 2 is a Sharps-Borchardt long-range target rifle, 
.45-100-550. 

" No. 3 is a hammerless, self-ejecting, double express, 
made by the prince of double-express rifle makers. Length 
of barrels, 26 in. ; weight, 7 lbs. 5 ozs. ; calibre, .400 ; car- 
tridge same as No. i. 

" No. 4 is my latest and newest acquisition. It is a little 
gem and a beautiful work of art. In design it is like No. 
3 ; has 26-in. barrels, weighs 5 lbs. 5 ozs., and is adapted 
to the .25-20-77 cartridge. 

" I will first describe the telescope, as attached to No. i 
Sharps rifle. 

" A rib of steel, in cross section, similar in form to a T 
rail, is brazed on top of the rifle barrel, and extending the 
whole length of barrel from the receiver to the muzzle, 
presenting an appearance much like the rib on the barrel 
of a Smith & Wesson revolver. The top of rib is a little 
higher than the top of receiver, and is about 11-16 in. 
wide. In top of rib and extending its whole length is 



84 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



milled a concave groove, in form a perfect segment of a 
circle, having a radius of ^ in. Into this groove is fitted 
a steel tube ^ in. in outer diameter and brazed fast. 
This forms the tube of the telescope, being practically as 
rigid and solid as the rifle barrel itself. 

"The achromatic object-lens is first fastened to the 
inner end of the object-lens cell, which is about ly^ in. 




Fig. 73.-Side View, sliowing telescope tube in seciion as attached to rib and barrel 
with object-lens and deflecting prism of rock crystal, with ivory-tipped front sight 
on top of tube. 

long, which in turn is screwed into the telescope tube in 
the usual manner. The end of tube projecting beyond 
the object-lens serves both as a sun-shade and rain-pro- 
tector. At the eye-end of tube, and also at a point about 
eight inches from the end, is inserted and soldered fast, 
two thin rings, about >^ in. wide, made of hard phosphor 
bronze. Through these rings the adapter or phosphor 
bronze eye-piece tube slides ; operating in effect just like 
the single draw in a navy telescope. The adapter, carry- 
ing the eye-piece and cross-hair diaphragm, is about i6 in. 
long, and is so arranged that when pulled out to a focus 
it comes to a stop, the telescope eye-piece being then in 
correct position and focus for sighting. When the adapter 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 85 

is closed into the telescope tube, about one inch of the 
eye end projects from the main tube, fitting close and 
resting on top of the receiver. Detachable water-tight 
caps are fitted to both eye- and object-ends of the tele- 
scope, serving, when the telescope is not in use, as a pro- 
tection from both dust and moisture. 

" In place of the usual cross-hairs attached to a dia- 
phragm, is a thin, translucent disk of rock crystal fastened 
to the usual cross-hair diaphragm. Upon this disk is 
etched a vertical and horizontal line, the intersection of 
the lines being so adjusted as to be a little below the 
centre of field, the telescope tube itself being laid at a 
slight angle with the axis of the bore. These adjust- 
ments are so arranged as to give a point-blank range of 
125 yards. 

" Below the horizontal cross-hair line is placed a short 
line, which ansjvers for 75 yards. Above the horizontal 
line is placed two other short lines, which answer respec- 
tively for 160 and 200 yards. On either side of the 
vertical line are two short vertical lines which serve as a 
wind-gauge. 

" There are times and places when it is not desirable to 
use the telescopic sight. To allow for such times, fixed 
open sights are attached on top of the telescope tube. 
These consist of an ivory front sight and a bar with 
platinum line back sight, the corners of the back sight 
being rounded and both sights set low on the tube. 

" It will be readily seen that from this construction of 
the telescope and its solid attachment to the barrel, all 
danger of injury to the telescope is reduced to a mini- 
mum. Another advantage is, that, should the eye-piece, 
from recoil, or any other cause, strike the eye, it would 
cause no injury to the eye, as the adapter will, with a 
slight pressure, push forward into the telescope tube, the 
phosphor bronze adapter and rings in telescope tube pre- 
venting any sticking from rust. When carrying the rifle 



86 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

the adapter is always closed up into the telescope tube, 
being entirely out of the way, as well as being protected 
from all harm or injury. When it is desired to shoot, it 
requires but an instant to pull out the adapter to a focus. 
After firing, the adapter can be instantly closed, leaving 
the tang and grip free from all bungling contrivances ; 
such as peep, Vernier, and Lyman sights and bases. 

" No. 2 rifle has the telescopic sight attached in pre- 
cisely the same manner as No. i ; but, as this is a long- 
range rifle, some method for securing elevation must be 
obtained. This is accomplished in a very simple manner. 
Several wedge-shaped prisms of rock crystal or flint glass 
(preferably rock crystal) are ground to an angle on the 
two plane surfaces, i. e., the two plane surfaces make an 
angle with one another. The amount of the angle is pro- 
portionate to the distance to be shot. These prisms are 
made circular and set in cells, which, in tuj-n, are screwed 
into the outer end of the object-lens cell, the prism being 
so adjusted that the thin end of the wedge is downward, 
or next to the barrel. The inner plane surface being set 
so as to be cathetus to a line drawn through the centre 
of the object-lens and the centre of the field lens, the 
beauty of this arrangement is apparent. The rays of light 
coming from the target to the prism, in passing through 
the prism are bent and deflected downward into the 
object-lens, corresponding in amount to the angle that 
the two plane surfaces of the prism make with each other. 
To illustrate : supposing that the rifle is to be shot at a 
1,000 yard target, and the angle between the line of sight 
and the axis of the bore is 3° 30' 30" ; simply insert a 
prism in front of the object-lens, the plane surfaces of 
the prism being ground to that angle, the fine adjustment 
for terrestrial refraction, change of light, and humidity 
and density of the atmosphere being gauged and instantly 
allowed for by the extra vertical and horizontal lines 
etched on the cross-hair crystal. When shooting at the 




MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 8/ 

longer ranges there is no craning of the neck to reach 

up to the Vernier cup, neither is there any spirit-level 

required. In fact, the rifle is held just the same, whether 

the distance shot is lOO, i,ooo, or 2,000 

yards, the only difference being in the 

elevation of the muzzle. 

" Rifles No. 3 and 4 have the telescope 
attached to the rib similar to No. i, the 
rifles presenting an appearance very much 
like a three-barrel gun, with the third 

Fig. 74.— Eye-Piece. <^ 

barrel on top, the three forming a tri- 
angle. The telescope, when closed up, is just the length 
of the barrels, and may be packed away, with the barrels 
in its case, without any fear of injury. 

" No. 3 rifle has, for several years, been my favorite 
large game-hunting rifle. No rifle that I have ever used 
has given me so much pleasure and genuine satisfaction 
as has this combination of telescope and rifle. In rapidity 
of firing it is not quite the equal of the Winchester 1886 
model repeater, which, by the way, is the only large bore 
repeating rifle that I have ever seen that I would use in 
preference to the best single-shot rifle. Double shots 
from the double rifle can be fired quicker than with the 
repeaters ; besides, it has the advantage of equal, if not 
superior, accuracy up to its range — 200 to 250 yards; 
has a flatter trajectory and greater smashing power than 
has the repeater of the same calibre, besides being about 
i^ lbs. lighter in weight, which is quite an item in climb- 
ing around the mountains in a long day's tramp. Were 
the Winchester 1886 model so constructed as to eject the 
shells on the side, similar to the Marlin 1889 model, a 
telescopic sight after this pattern could then be attached, 
and would be nearly perfect for a large-game rifle. A tele- 
scopic-sight attachment of this kind applied to the Marlin 
1889 or 1891 model, and adapted to the .25-20-86 cart- 
ridges, the barrel and magazine being so constructed as to 



88 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

be easily detached from the receiver, would be a perfect 
rifle for small game, and is just the kind of small-bore 
rifle that I am looking for. Thousands of users of the 
large-bore rifle — hunters, trappers, settlers, prospectors, 
miners, and sportsmen everywhere — would hail with 
delight just such a rifle, to use as an auxiliary to the 
large-bore rifle. 

" For the benefit of the large army of both large-bore 
and small-bore enthusiasts, and the target and game 
shooters, I will say that this application of the telescopic 
sight to the rifle is about as near perfect as may be 
desired. The only obstacle to its very general use by 
target and game shooters is its necessarily high cost. To 
all those who can afford it, I say give it a trial. The 
system is not patented, and may be used by any one ; but 
it requires first-class workmanship in optician, telescope- 
maker, and gunsmith, to obtain fine results." 

Mr. William Malcolm was succeeded in the manufacture 
of telescopes by The Malcolm Telescope Manufacturing 
Co., Syracuse. Besides this company is Mr. L. M. Mogg 
at Marcellus, N. Y., and others doing business on a smaller 
scale. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 89 



CHAPTER IX. 

HUNTING RIFLES. — SINGLE-SHOT AND REPEATING RIFLES. 

In America, it is usual to class as hunting rifles, all 
rifles which are light enough to be carried comfortably ; 
sighted so as to be readily and effectively used, and charged 
with ammunition which will kill game. The smallest rifle 
used in hunting is .22-calibre, and those above .50-calibre 
are rare. The lightest rifle known to the writer is the 
Stevens' pocket rifle, weighing less than i lb. ; and it is an 
exception to the rule to find American rifles to-day, in the 
hands of hunters, weighing over 10 lbs. In the days of 
bison hunting, the old Sharps buffalo rifles, which would 
weigh 16 or 18 lbs., were sold in large numbers to skin- 
hunters, who practically exterminated this animal. These 
rifles are now largely in the hands of walrus-hunters. 
Among the modern American rifles, manufactured to-day, 
there are comparatively few exceeding .50-calibre and 10 
lbs. in weight. 

American rifles for hunting are manufactured in immense 
quantities by machinery and sold at astonishingly low 
prices. In order to sell at such low figures, they must be 
produced in large quantities, and by machinery ; this com- 
pels manufacturers to model a length and bend of stock 
likely to suit the majority. By perfecting machinery for 
this manufacture, they are able to turn out rifles which 
are generally remarkably accurate, but not always satis- 
factory in regard to weight, model, and sights. 

For many years most of the game hunted in America 



go MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

was in the East, and not dangerous ; was exceedingly 
plentiful, and was shot at very short range ; the smooth- 
bore being used quite as much as the rifle. As the rifle 
came more into use, — the game continuing abundant, — 
the skill of the hunters increased, and a small bullet rightly 
placed was all that was necessary to kill the game. As 
the hunter pushed westward, the character of the country 
greatly changed. In place of heavily timbered districts, 
with hiljs, valleys, rivers, and lakes, were almost boundless 
prairies, timberless, and without rocks, hills, or anything 
to permit as near an approach to game as in the East. 
Larger and more dangerous game was found ; and the 
game of the plains, always more timid than that found in 
timbered regions, became scarcer and wilder, which made 
it more difficult to approach. Then it was found that the 
lightly charged small-bore rifles were not the proper arms 
for that country ; and, as sportsmen became educated in 
this matter, their views were expressed through sports- 
men's papers, and, in time, manufacturers responded with 
more powerful rifles. The line of small-bores was also 
much increased, until it would seem that a rifle for 
every style of hunting to be found in America could be 
procured. 

It is astonishing how erroneous are the views of many 
as to the desirable features in a hunting rifle. Many find 
it difficult to understand why a rifle that shoots accurately 
at a distance of a thousand yards, is not superior for hunt- 
ing to one whose accuracy is confined to perhaps less than 
half that range. They entertain a belief that a long-range 
rifle would enable a sportsman to kill game readily at the 
extreme accurate range of the rifle. Strange as this may 
seem to many, it is a fact, that nearly every week there 
come to the editors of sportsmen's journals, letters from 
apparently intelligent persons, which indicate that they 
entertain such fallacious ideas. The rapidity of fire is 
another delusive feature to many. As a fact, there are 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



91 





Fig. 75. Fig. 76. 

Winchester Single shot HunLing Rifles — Plain and 
Pistol Grip. 



Fig 77 —Winchester Repeat- 
ing Rifle, Model 1873, — Full 
Magazine. 



92 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

Other points more essential than long range and rapidity 
of fire in a hunting rifle. 

There are many opinions as to the best rifle for hunting, 
and when it comes to recommending a certain calibre or 
style of sights, I hesitate, for whatever would be recom- 
mended would be sure to provoke controversy. It must 
also be admitted that no one rifle can be found best suited 
for every kind of game shooting. A few successful shots 
(sometimes a single one) with a certain rifle and charge, 
making a convert to it and a firm advocate; perhaps 
this is a natural sequence, but it often proves delusive. I 
have known of cases where guides or woodsmen have 
made successful shots at unusually long distances, which 
so aroused the enthusiasm of a tyro, he would purchase at 
a big price the rifles used, much to the satisfaction of the 
fortunate marksmen. I know of men who have unbounded 
faith in the capabilities of a rifle of small calibre for large 
game, because of one fortunate, fatal shot ; and I have 
seen persons who have great confidence in the accuracy 
of a rifle because a deer was killed on the run with it. 

A hunting rifle should be sufficiently strong to stand 
any charge which the owner would be likely to ever use in 
it, and reasonable use it would be put to. It should be as 
light as possible if it is to be carried by a person afoot, but 
not so light as to make the recoil excessive. Few men 
however strong can carry a rifle weighing over eight 
pounds for any great distance without its being burden- 
some and detracting from the pleasure of a hunting trip. 
Over weight, unnecessary weight, has long been a conspicu- 
ous cause of complaint against American rifles. There 
seems no good reason why a.32 or .38-calibre rifle, shooting 
40 grains of powder or even less, and a light bullet, should 
weigh nine or ten pounds, when six or seven pounds is 
sufficient weight. This, however, is one of the results of 
manufacturing rifles in quantity by machinery. A weight 
calculated to suit a majority of rifle-shooters (and that 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 93 

would probably mean target shooters) has generally been 
selected by mai;iufacturers, and the rifles in that model 
would be of standard weight. As target shooters, as a 
rule, prefer a heavier rifle than game shooters, and as there 
.are more target shooters than hunters, it has often been 
difflcult to find rifles light enough to satisfy those who 
hunt with a rifle. Recently several have been put on the 
market which are light, but it is a question if they are not 
as objectionable as the excessively heavy ones ; for in order 
to avoid unpleasant recoil they are charged with pistol 
cartridges, and the bullets made to fit the barrels so loose- 
ly as to almost drop through the barrel. By use of such 
ammunition the recoil is reduced ; but, certain desirable 
features are sacrificed, which will be alluded to later. 

If a hunter were to travel by canoe or mounted, the 
heavy rifle would be no disadvantage, and perhaps for sev- 
eral reasons desirable. The question of weight of a rifle is 
an important one ; and besides the reasons stated, is the 
varying strength of individuals. I should say a person 
should select a rifle heavy enough to avoid unpleasant re- 
coil, which causes flinching ; but, at the same time, re- 
member, a hunting rifle is not usually shot so frequently 
as a target rifle, and recoil is not so much noticed when 
shooting at game. With the exception of the .22- and .25- 
calibre rifles, I think a majority of hunters would prefer a 
rifle from seven to eight pounds in weight, but have to 
content themselves with those weighing eight to nine 
pounds. 

The question of calibre is one upon which exists a diver- 
sity of opinion, and of course depends upon the game hunted. 
It is not so generally known as should be, that there is a 
point where each calibre and charge will do the best work ; 
but sportsmen have various ideas about perfection. One 
person considers the greatest amount of accuracy para- 
mount to all other features ; another seeks the flattest tra- 
jectory, disregarding everything else; still another seeks 



94 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

killing power alone; and many can talk of nothing but 
rapidity of fire. I hazard little in stating that any un- 
usual amount of any one of these features is secured at the 
expense of another if ordinary powder and lead are used. 

By way of illustration I will refer to two well-known cal- 
ibres; viz., the .38 and the .45. The .38-calibre central- 
fire, with 55 grains of powder, and a 330-grain bullet, and 
the .45-calibre government cartridge, which has 70 grains 
of powder, and a bullet of 500 grains, are well known to 
possess great accuracy when the rifles using them have 
the correct twist and the ammunition is properly prepared. 
If you lighten the bullet or increase your powder charge 
you flatten your trajectory, but you sacrifice accuracy; but 
there is a point where you can gain a great deal in trajec- 
tory and still keep sufficient accuracy within hunting range. 
Take the .38-calibre rifle with 55 grains of powder and 
330 grains of lead. This charge is probably the most 
popular of any among the rest shooters who use the 
modern breech-loading target rifle, and it is a common oc- 
currence to place ten shots with rest at 200 yards within 
a 3-inch circle. Even when the factory cartridge with a 
bullet of 255 grains is shot, the accuracy is noticeable, but 
the trajectory high. Take the .38-90, with the 255-grain 
bullet, and you flatten your curve, but you would probably 
have to be satisfied with placing the shots in an 8-inch 
circle at 200 yards ; but with the 217-grain bullet you will 
secure a still flatter curve, though you are quite likely to 
require a lo-inch circle to enclose 10 shots. You could 
go back to 500 and likely to 800 yards with the .38-55- 
330, and keep in the regulation bullseye, shooting with 
a rest and with favorable weather conditions. With the 
.38-90-217 you would not be likely to keep the shots on 
the target for many shots at the mid-ranges. Again, take 
the .45-70-500 government cartridge. Good shooting can 
be done with it at 800 yards ; the .45-90-300 you would 
find quite unreliable at that range, but it would shoot 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 




Fig. 78. —Winchester Repeat- 
ing Hunting Rifle, IVIodel 1873. 
Half Magazine. 



Fig. 79. — Winchester Re- 
peating Hunting Rifle, 
Model 1886. Half Maga- 
zine. 



Fig. 80. — Winchester Re- 
peating Hunting Rifle, 
Model 1890. 22 calibre. 



96 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

well at 300 yards; the .45-125-300 would be unreliable at 
300 yards and not to be relied on much beyond 150 or 
200 yards. 

Taking the latter three cartridges the .45-125-300 would 
undoubtedly be the best cartridges for certain kinds of 
large and dangerous game, and a majority of well-informed 
sportsmen would unhesitatingly select the .45-90-300 in 
preference to the .45-70-500 for hunting. The latter car- 
tridge, however useful for target and military work, is not 
a cartridge par excelletice for game shooting, although it 
has killed much game; and by discarding the 500-grain 
bullet and substituting a lighter one, of 300 or 350 grains, 
and with 75 grains of ducking powder, a powerful enough 
cartridge for game found in the United States will be 
secured. A heavy bullet will give long and accurate 
range and great penetration ; a light bullet with heavy 
powder charge will give a low curve and quick flight up 
to the limit of accuracy, and by the spreading of the 
bullet is likely to make a more fatal wound. There are 
times when the heavy bullet is preferred at short range, 
when penetration is desired or, as old hunters have 
remarked, there are times when they want a " bone 
smasher:" the heavy and hard bullet accomplishes that. 
When a light, soft bullet is used on thick-skinned ani- 
mals, or those with heavy matted hair, it is likely to make 
more of a surface wound and not penetrate the vital 
parts. 

Some years ago, in the early history of breech-loading 
rifles and metallic cartridges, the cartridges contained 
light loads of powder and heavy bullets, consequently had 
high trajectories, but possessed accuracy. As game was 
killed at short range, it was some time before sportsmen 
recognized the value of reducing the curve ; but shooting 
on the plains, and the game in the East becoming wilder 
and more difficult to approach, longer shots were taken, 
and the liability to err in elevation became apparent. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 




g8 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

Some of the cartridges for the Sharps rifles showed their 
great superiority as hunting cartridges over those lightly 
charged. 

From the time the modern American breech-loading 
rifle was introduced, up to about 1876, a majority of the 
hunting rifles used lightly charged metallic cartridges ; 
the powder charges being particularly light, in fact they 
often shot pistol cartridges. An exception to this was in 
the Sharps rifles, above referred to, which took proper 
hunting charges and consequently were very popular among 
hunters in the West. During the following ten or twelve 
years the demand, especially from the West, was for rifles 
with range, and it was a decade before it was generally 
realized that although the long-range rifle would kill at 
several hundred yards, the chances of shooting over or 
under were fully as great as missing from other causes. 
The sportsman and manufacturer became educated as to 
the proper rifle for hunting in certain sections, and as a 
result better rifles were made ; for they shot cartridges 
which combined the requisite amount of accuracy for 
hunting with a lower trajectory, although some of the 
apparently extremely powerful express cartridges are 
delusive on account of the slow burning powder used in 
loading, increasing the accuracy, reducing the recoil, but 
alas! not lowering the trajectory to any such extent as is 
supposed. The shells of such cartridges however, can be 
reloaded with stronger powder and the trajectory greatly 
flattened. 

I have alluded to the introduction of new rifles, in 
response to calls from sportsmen. Most of the later 
models are superior to the older ones, but they do not 
drive the old arms into disuse. There are thousands of 
rifles in the hands of hunters to-day which would be 
considered obsolete, and have long ago ceased to be 
manufactured ; but there is a demand for cartridges for 
these rifles, and consequently ammunition is still manu- 



MODERIV AMERICAN RIFLES. 99 

factured ; even paper cartridges used in rifles requiring a 
cap are supplied, and there is quite a little demand for 
cartridges for Spencer, Sharps & Hankins, Joslyn, and 
Peabody rifles. In fact, rifles which are used for hunting 
in America take almost every cartridge made, which 
include about all the pistol cartridges ; but this should not 
be taken as evidence that all of the cartridges are the best 
or proper ones for such work. Rim-fire cartridges, with 
a few exceptions, are not esteemed for hunting, and there- 
fore rifles taking these cartridges, with the exception of 
the .22 short- .22 long-rifle and .25 Stevens special, are 
considered undesirable for hunting. Nearly all the centre- 
fire cartridges are used in American hunting rifles. 

I have made some general statements of my ideas of a 
hunting rifle, which I will repeat in the following sum- 
mary : In my opinion, the hunting rifle should be suffi- 
ciently strong to stand any charge ever fired from it, or 
any reasonable use the arm is put to. 

Light enough to be carried a long distance without 
great fatigue, but heavy enough to prevent excessive 
recoil. 

Of such shape that it may be brought quickly to the 
shoulder. Butt should be similar to a shot-gun, and the 
Swiss butt-plate never used. 

The sights should be so arranged and of such pattern 
that they can be quickly caught by the eye and clearly 
defined when placed on game; firmly attached to the rifles 
so as to permit of no sliding or movement. Very fine 
sights are undesirable, as they cannot be seen so readily 
as coarser ones, especially when taking quick snap shots, 
or at moving game. If you prefer a rear open sight, do 
not have a deep notch ; have it flat and shallow with no 
ears or projections on each side. 

Shot-gun butt and a corrugated or rubber heel-plate. 
Avoid smooth butt-plates, as they are liable to slip when 
placed to the shoulder. A long stock is preferable, 



lOO MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

especially when shooting heavy charges ; see that the stock 
is long enough to prevent collision between the hand that 
grips rifle and the nose. 

Have trigger checked, and so set that when the rifle is 
grasped it is not necessary to stretch or reach with the 
fore or trigger finger. Have trigger-pull strong enough 
to prevent accidental discharges, but easy enough to press 
lightly without yanking it, which disturbs the aim. Do 
not have the trigger-pull less than 2>^ or over 3>^ pounds. 
Hair or set triggers are not recommended. 

Select a rifle shooting a cartridge with a bullet sufflci- 
ently large to kill the game hunted, and shooting as large 
a powder charge as will shoot the bullet accurately and 
not disturb the aim by the recoil. There are a few excep- 
tions to this which I will allude to later. Cannelured 
bullets are generally preferred to patched bullets for 
hunting. 

In selecting a rifle for hunting do not look for, or expect 
to secure, the accuracy found in target rifles. Most rifle 
clubs have a 200 yards' range ; it is at that distance many of 
the hunting rifles are tested. Dissatisfaction is often 
expressed because the shooter is unable to keep the shots 
in the regulation bullseye when shooting with a rest. I 
think nearly all rifles used in America for hunting, with 
the exception of the express rifles, are capable of placing 
ten successive shots in an eight-inch circle at 200 yards ; 
but I feel certain that owing to the particular skill required 
to shoot a rifle at rest ; to the special knowledge necessary 
to use hunting sights to the best advantage ; to the 
uncertainty of much of the factory ammunition, largely 
on account of deterioration after leaving the factory, 
comparatively few riflemen can select a rifle and ammu- 
nition from a gun-store, and with hunting rifle and sights 
place ten shots at 200 yards in the regulation eight-inch 
bullseye. I say this advisedly, and after twenty years' 
experimenting with hunting rifles and intercourse with 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



ioi 



experts at the factories and from many sections. I think, 
however, an expert rifleman is reasonable in expecting as 





Fig. 84.— Colt's New Lightning Fig. 85.— Colt's New Light- Fig. 86.— Colt's New Light- 
Magazine Hunting Rifle round ning Magazine Rifle, Half- ning Magazine Rifle, Baby 
Barrel. Full Magazine. Magazine, 22 calibre. Carbine. 



much accuracy as often placing ten consecutive shots in 
an eight-inch bullseye, shooting from rest with hunting 



I02 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

rifle. I do not hesitate to say that persons are rare who 
can do it with any certainty or regularity, and the great 
majority will do it only occasionally. I consider it among 
the impossibilities to place loo consecutive shots in an 
eight-inch bullseye at 200 yards, shooting from a rest and 
using a rifle properly sighted for hunting, weighing under 
ten pounds, and charged with factory ammunition. Ex- 
press rifles are tested at 100 yards, and few of them can 
be depended on to do much better work than placing ten 
shots in an eight-inch bullseye at 1 50 yards. 

Riflemen are inclined to compare the shooting of a hunt- 
ing rifle with that of a match rifle. Many of the so-called 
hunting rifles are chambered for target cartridges, and 
when tested for accuracy, show finer shooting than can be 
done with a cartridge which is superior for hunting, but 
the tyro is likely to select the one for hunting which makes 
the best target. There seems to be an irresistible inclina- 
tion on the part of manufacturers of rifles and ammunition 
to produce arms and cartridges which will do the most 
accurate shooting, and, as the great majority of shooters 
demand this, the intelligent hunter is often forced to pre- 
pare his own ammunition. 

Many metallic cartridges do not contain the charges 
they are stated to hold ; others are charged with slow- 
burning, weak powder, which sometimes reduces fouling, 
lessens recoil, adds to accuracy, but increases trajectory. 

With the great variety of rifles and cartridges to select 
from, and the testimony offered by sportsmen, the tyro, 
and even the man of experience, are often dazed by the 
conflicting statements, and hesitate which rifle to select. 

I am aware that he who is bold enough to state his 
opinion of the various American rifle cartridges is treading 
upon dangerous ground ; and I would not be rash enough 
to state the amount of accuracy or killing power possessed 
by each, for any such statement would be sure to elicit 
many protests and contradictions. There are a great 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



103 



number of cartridges to be found in the American market, 





Fig. 87. — Marlln Repeating Fig. 88.— Wlarlin Repeating Fig. 89. — Marlln 22 calibre 
Hunting Rifle, with plstol-grlp. Carbine. Repeating Hunting Rifle. 

good, bad and indifferent, and American rifles of various 
makes are rifled and chambered for most of them, so ref- 



104 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

erence will be made to some of the cartridges in general 
use to-day, for, if the different makes of rifles are properly 
made, a cartridge will shoot as well in one as another. 

From my own experience and the testimony of others, 
I have formed the opinion recorded below, of the merits 
of the following factory-made cartridges used in American 
hunting rifles : — 

The .22 short is good for small game, such as birds 
and squirrels. Has been known to kill a deer, but 
should not be used on such game ; will kill animals as 
large as a woodchuck, but is considered unreliable on 
animals larger than a squirrel. The .22 long-rifle is 
much more accurate and possesses greater power than 
the .22 short. Will kill quite large game, but its use 
should be confined to small game, such as the .22 short is 
used on, the long-rifle being better. None of the other 
.22-calibre rim-fire cartridges now on the market are con- 
sidered reliable. The .25 rim-fire Stevens special pos- 
sesses great merit ; is extremely accurate up to 200 yards. 
It has a high trajectory when shot at long range ; has 
inside lubrication. Is thought to be the most accurate 
rim-fire cartridge made ; has no rival so far as accuracy is 
concerned, unless it be the .22 long-rifle cartridge. Greater 
killing power than the .22, but much more expensive. 
There are a great variety of rim-fire cartridges beyond the 
sizes mentioned, manufactured, but they are for rifles not 
much esteemed for hunting at the present time ; they have 
short bullets, light powder charges, and, while they shoot 
accurately when freshly made, at short range, they quickly 
deteriorate, and are unreliable at ranges beyond 100 
yards. 

There are two central-fire .22-calibre cartridges, the 
.22 Winchester, containing 13 grains of powder and a 
45-grain bullet, and the .22 Maynard, holding 8 grains 
of powder and a bullet of 45 grains. The former has 
the flatter trajectory and shoots well at a distance of 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. I05 

100 yards, but the latter is immeasurably its superior in 
accuracy at 200 yards, but its flight shows a high curve. 

There is but one .25-calibre central-fire factory cartridge, 
and that is known generally as the .25-20. Ten years ago 
the writer became interested in this calibre by the experi- 
ments of Mr. F. J. Rabbeth, and several barrels were 
made to take different charges. The ,25-20 met the ideas 
of the writer, but was discarded by Mr. Rabbeth, who 
sought the extreme express system in this calibre, and, I 
think I may add, secured it. 

The writer was greatly impressed with the work of the 
.25-20 in 1880, and communicated his ideas to most of the 
rifle manufacturers, but they all declined to manufacture 
it ; ten years later the rifle went the rounds of rifle and 
ammunition makers, who were eager to produce rifles and 
cartridges. When the .25-20 rifle was originated, it was 
believed by the writer that it possessed superior merit for 
small game hunting ; as the light bullet and large powder 
charge in this calibre gave a low trajectory, and satisfactory 
accuracy was maintained. When manufacturers of rifles 
and cartridges commenced producing these rifles and 
the cartridges for it, they disregarded the essential points 
in a hunting cartridge by increasing the weight of the 
bullet. Thus a superior hunting cartridge was transformed 
into an indifferent target cartridge ; but happily the shells 
of this cartridge can be reloaded, and a light bullet used 
for game shooting, and a heavy one for target work. 

In the .32 cartridges there are a great variety. Some of 
the lightly charged pistol cartridges are used in rifles by 
those who object to the smashing power of the .25-20. In 
squirrel shooting, where a shot is seldom taken at longer 
range than 25 yards, the value of a low trajectory is not 
considered ; in fact, it is avoided purposely, as the high 
initial power necessary to reduce the curve smashes the 
small game too much. The .32-9-85 is sometimes used in 
an exclusively squirrel rifle ; the .32 Smith & Wesson rifle 



I06 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

shell is a superior one, as it can be reloaded with light or 
heavy powder charges. 

The .32 extra-long is a good cartridge, but comparatively- 
little used. The .32-20-115 Winchester and the .32-20-100 
U. M. C. are extensively used in repeaters and some in 
single-shot rifles. I have shot several thousand rounds of 
these cartridges in various rifles, and found they had too 
great smashing power to use on small game at short range ; 
were quite accurate up to 150 yards, and although they 
would often do good work at 200 yards, there was an un- 
reliability about them at that range which would make me 
avoid them if I were to try and do good shooting at the 
target. These cartridges seem to do excellent work up to 
1 50 yards, and fall off rapidly beyond that distance. All 
my experiments show the .25-20 the superior of the .32-20. 
The .32-30 Remington is a fine cartridge, and ought to 
have been one of the most popular American cartridges ; 
it is very accurate, but not used extensively. The .32-40 
is famous for its accuracy and low trajectory ; it bids fair 
to retain its popularity. This cartridge is used generally 
on what may be termed mid-sized game : it will kill deer 
neatly, but I think a majority of hunters would prefer a 
larger calibre for large game. It has considerable smash- 
ing power at short range, but is much liked for shooting 
at woodchucks, loons, seals, geese, ducks, and coyotes. 
The .32-40 Bullard cartridge is a good one ; but the .32-40 
Winchester and Ballard being more generally used and 
higher esteemed, the Bullard cartridge is seldom found in 
gun stores. 

There are many .38-calibre cartridges. The .38 extra- 
long is less popular than formerly ; the .38-40-180 Win- 
chester is more of a revolver than rifle cartridge, is fairly 
accurate up to 150 yards, but not to be compared at 200 
yards with others in this calibre. The .38 Bullard is but 
little known, and but few rifles are made to take it ; the 
.38-55 is one of the most popular of cartridges, but really 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



107 




Fig 90.-Stevens' Hunting Fig. 91.-Wesson Hunting 

Rifie. Rif'^' 



Fig 92.— Wurfflein Hunting 
Rifle. 



I08 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

more adapted for target than game shooting. If a person 
desired a rifle to be used for target shooting, and game 
occasionally, up to the size of deer, a rifle chambered for 
this cartridge would be a good one. The .38-56-255 is one 
of the cartridges that holds the amount of powder it pur- 
ports to ; is one of the best medium-charged cartridges I 
know of, combines moderately low trajectory, great accu- 
racy and considerable killing power. It seems to kill 
deer, caribou, and moose well. The .38-90-217 is strictly 
a hunting cartridge, the result of much experimenting, 
and combines accuracy, low trajectory, and excellent kill- 
ing power. It will shoot into an eight or ten inch circle 
at 200 yards when handled by an expert. 

Among the .40-calibres are many for Sharps and Win- 
chester single-shot rifles, and take patched or lubricated 
bullets ; capable of doing fine work, but, as a rule, are 
more for target than game shooting ; can be loaded to 
meet the ideas of sportsmen for a hunting cartridge ; the 
.40-70 Sharps being especially meritorious. The .40-60 
Marlin and the Winchester are good hunting cartridges, 
the former having a 260-grain bullet, the latter one of 210; 
the .40-65-260 is about the same. Many think these cart- 
ridges powerful enough for any game to be found in the 
United States, unless, perhaps, the grizzly bear. They 
will generally shoot ten consecutive shots into about an 
eight-inch circle at 200 yards ; have no unpleasant recoil ; 
moderately low trajectory, considering their accuracy, and 
kill clean, as a rule, even as large game as the wapiti. The 
.40-70 Ballard is good, but not so popular as the three pre- 
ceding cartridges. The .40-82-260 will shoot into an eight- 
inch circle at 200 yards, but not so regularly as the ,40-60 
and .40-65. It is one of the best cartridges for rifles used 
exclusively for hunting, almost, it seems to the writer, the 
limit of accuracy, low trajectory, and power in this calibre. 
The .40-110-260 is an express cartridge. Will not shoot 
with the accuracy of the .40-82. Not very reliable much 



MODBIRN AMERICAN- RIFLES. IO9 

beyond 1 50 yards, but a killing cartridge at short range. 
The .41 .42, .43 and most of the .44 cal. cartridges are 
confined to obsolete arms and pistols. The .44 Winches- 
ter, model 1873, has probably killed more game than any 
other American cartridge, but its popularity is less than 
formerly. It has been much liked by those desiring one 
cartridge for revolver and rifle, but it has a great curve 
when shot at long range, and does not compare in accuracy 
with some other cartridges at 200 yards. It is accurate up 
to 150 yards, but more modern cartridges are considered 
vastly superior to this ; but its light recoil and the great 
number of repeaters made for it insure a continued popu- 
larity to what I consider an inferior hunting rifle or cart- 
ridge, which I refer to as one and the same. 

The .45-calibre offer also a variety of cartridges ; the 
.45-75-350 has probably killed more large game than any 
other cartridge. It has killed thousands of times with a 
single shot nearly every kind of big game found within 
the borders of our country. It shoots with great accuracy 
up to 800 yards, and when designed was considered a 
superior hunting cartridge, a reputation it has never lost. 
The .45-60-300 combines accuracy and considerable kill- 
ing power. The .45-70-405, and also with 500-grain bullet, 
possesses great and accurate range, good killing power, 
but has a high trajectory. I will refer later to the practice 
of sportsmen of reloading this and other cartridge-shells 
to make fine hunting cartridges. The .45-90-300 is one of 
the best — many believe it to be the best, — factory hunt- 
ing cartridges to be found in America. It is the result of 
much experimenting, and is accurate, has a low curve, and 
great killing power. The .45-125-300 is an express cart- 
ridge not especially accurate beyond 150 yards, and largely 
used in rifles sold in India. The .45-85 is not so good 
a cartridge as the .45-70 or .45-90. There are other .45 
shells for Sharps rifle, containing various charges, but are 
growing less popular as the rifles taking them become obso- 



I lO MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

lete. In .50-calibre the 50-110-300 is a very powerful 
express cartridge of limited range. The .50-95 is much 
more accurate than the .50-110, and better for American 
game ; it will shoot well up to about 300 yards. 

Doubtless most of the arms classed as hunting rifles 
are shot with factory-made cartridges ; but there are 
thousands of intelligent sportsmen who are far better 
qualified to judge of the essential features in a hunting 
rifle and cartridge than the manufacturers. The manu- 
facturer's problem is largely to solve the question of cost 
in manufacturing. How can the best-looking, finest- 
shooting rifle be made for the least money, is constantly 
before the producer. The sportsman takes the rifle and 
seeks game ; as the result of his experience he forms 
opinions as to the proper arm for hunting, and often 
presents them through the columns of sportsmen's jour- 
nals. With the target shooter, the one feature above all 
others is accuracy. As a rule he will not complain of 
weight, cares little how high a curve the bullet takes in 
its flight, will clean a rifle after every shot, use any kind 
of sights, stand recoil, perform any amount of labor if he 
can only make the rifle shoot well. I believe fully twenty 
shots are fired at an inanimate target to one at live game ; 
even the hunter, according to my observation, shoots ten 
shots at a mark to one at game. Almost all the testimony 
submitted to manufacturers of rifles and ammunition 
bears upon the wonderful accuracy of rifles or cartridges, 
and, if occasionally a protest is entered against the unfit- 
ness of these for hunting, it is offset by several testimonials 
of killing, with a target rifle and cartridge, some game at 
a distance the old hunter would seldom shoot at. 

It seems as though we are fated to have the great bulk 
of factory-made cartridges suitable for target-work, and 
only a small proportion best suited for game shooting. 
We hear of successful shots at game, and seldom of the 
misses ; but the investigating sportsman who overshoots 



MODERN AMERICAN RlELES. 1 1 1 

his game, or fails to kill it when hit, is likely to quietly 
look for the cause of his failures, and try and remedy the 
trouble. If his appeals to manufacturers are unheeded, it 
is natural that he should seek to perfect his arm or 
ammunition. 

The charge has often been made that the muzzle-loading 
rifle is superior to the breech-loader, because the former 
can be loaded with various charges. I think, so far as 
the charges can be made to shoot accurately, this can be 
easily accomplished in the modern breech-loading rifle. 
It is but simple justice to manufacturers to state that 
undoubtedly the factory-made ammunition is better for 
the majority of shooters than that which is prepared by 
the expert rifleman and hunter ; for the manipulation of 
the rifle and ammunition has much to do with its success. 
The person who takes fifty or a hundred rounds of am- 
munition to the range, or from a tent in camp, and on a 
hot day will shoot shot after shot at a mark with rapidity, 
and never moisten or cool his rifle, would be no person to 
recommend specially prepared cartridges. The best am- 
munition in the finest rifle, in the hands of a good shot 
will do bad work if not manipulated properly. 

It has been stated that, outside of the .22- and .25- 
calibres, there are no rim-fire cartridges in high esteem 
as hunting cartridges ; the central-fires are more reliable 
and can be reloaded readily. The .22 central-fire take 
the regular bullets. In the .25-calibre central-fire I would 
recommend the 'j'j- and 67-grain bullets. In .32-calibres 
there is a shell known as the .32 Smith & Wesson rifle 
shell. This is a superior shell, but rifles are seldom 
chambered for it ; one can vary his powder and lead 
charges considerably with a straight shell like this. If 
a rifle is desired to shoot various charges of powder 
and lead, a straight shell is always preferable to a 
bottle-necked or tapered shell, as the latter will not hold 
a round or short bullet in place, if seated on a light charge 



1 1 2 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

of powder. There are straight shells of .38 .40 and .45 
calibres, which can be loaded with different charges to 
reduce recoil, or the charge increased. 

I am so many times asked to give advice on the selec- 
tion of a rifle, I will state here my opinion in relation to 
rifles used wholly or in part for hunting ; and at the same 
time mention that others, as well and perhaps better in- 
formed than myself, will very likely not agree with me. 
Were I to use a rifle for hunting alone, on large game, 
and could have but one gun, I should select either the 
.45-90 or the .45-70. The latter would be my choice if I 
could prepare my own ammunition ; and the former, were 
I to use factory cartridges. I have experimented with 
the rifle for the government cartridge for several years, 
and feel satisfied with my choice for a hunting rifle and 
cartridge. I believe a .45-calibre is the best, for large 
game shooting, to be found in the United States. A .40- 
calibre is, perhaps, sufficiently large, but my choice is .45. 
I prefer the government shell, because it is straight and 
easy to procure wherever ammunition is found. I like 
rifles with twist for the government cartridges, because 
they will shoot well almost every .45-calibre bullet, from 
the lightest to the heaviest. The .45-90 will not shoot 
accurately a bullet over a certain weight ; but the .45-70, 
with twist given by the Winchester Co., 18 inches, will 
spin bullets, weighing from 300 to 550 grains, with great 
accuracy. 

Many writers have claimed that more twist than is 
sufficient to spin the bullet accurately was detrimental. 
I have not found it so, but always prefer a rifle with 
more twist than is necessary. I consider having a rifle 
chambered and rifled for the government cartridge quite 
an advantage over others, because it is as good a shell as 
can be found in America ; it can be found in almost any 
store where cartridges are sold. It is, when loaded with 
the 405-grain bullet, a better cartridge for hunting than 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. II3 

most of the regular cartridges; and the shell and rifle will 
shoot, I think, a greater range of bullets than any other. 
I experimented intermittingly for several years with 
hunting rifles, the various factory cartridges, and charges 
made up by myself. I kept a large quantity of bullets, 
which had killed game from the size of a fox to a 
grizzly bear, from rifles of various calibres, and had an 
interesting memoranda in relation to them ; the result 
of my investigations were such that I had no use for 
a rifle, shooting anything from a deer up to our largest 
game, of less calibre than .40 or over .45, or that shot 
less than 60 grains of powder, or over 90. It has been 
my practice to try and learn how light a rifle could be 
procured, and how heavy charges could be shot from it, 
without flinching from dread of recoil. I was most im- 
pressed with the .45-calibre, and wanted the government 
shell, but objected to the heavy bullet, and commenced 
experimenting. The 500-grain bullet would often shoot a 
series of shots into a four inch group at 200 yards ; the 
405-grain bullet nearly as well ; the 350 into slightly 
larger groups, and the 300-grain bullet would shoot often 
into an eight inch group. The latter was accurate, but 
its lightness and the quick twist of the rifle caused it to 
drift excessively. 

I wrote the Ideal Manufacturing Co., of New Haven, 
Conn., to make me several moulds for bullets weighing 
350, 330, and 300 grains, all with hollow points, and in 
due time received them. I found the tools were very 
carefully made, and the bullets, when cast, were apparently 
perfect. All of these bullets were tested in Winchester 
rifles, chambered for the .45-70 government cartridge. I 
shot them in five different repeating rifles and one single 
shot rifle, the testing being done at 200 yards with tar- 
get sights, and at rest ; when I had finished shooting one 
rifle I would wait several weeks, or perhaps a month or 
two, then repeat the experiments with another rifle. I 




114 MODERN AMERICAN RIELES. 

would then invite some reliable shot to shoot, comparing 
his results with my own. Various kinds of powder were 
tried, and charges from 55 to 77 grains, and from slow 
burning to ducking powder. I also tried the Lord Keene 
bullet, and found it would not hit the target at 200 yards, 
and would open at 50 yards. The most satisfactory re- 
sults, considering accuracy, range, and penetration, were 
secured with the 330-grain Ideal bullet, hollow pointed, 
and 75 grains of Hazard's FG powder. The 
charge has been tried on game and found 
very killing. The charge may be reduced to 
55 grains of powder with this bullet, and very 
accurate and pleasant target practice secured. 
One can also shoot 75 grains of Hazard's 
ducking powder wuth this bullet, and have a 
BuiietVorHunt- Cartridge equal in power to the .45-90 factory 
'"^' cartridge, with nearly equal trajectory and 

greater accuracy. The illustration Fig. 93 shows this 
bullet. 

Some of my friends have Lee rifles rechambered to 
take the .45 2-^-^ inch straight shell, shooting 90 grains of 
powder, and the 330-grain hollow pointed Ideal bullet. 
This is also an accurate and very killing charge, and the 
cartridge can be used in a single shot rifle, or the Lee 
magazine rifle, but not in the Winchester .45-70 repeating 
rifle. The .40-calibre rifles are good ; but the straight 
shells are riot used in repeating rifles, and the taper shells 
for repeating rifles of this calibre are not so good for self- 
made ammunition. Besides, the .40-calibre straight shells 
are more difflcult each year to procure. 

If I wished to indulge in target shooting about as much 
as game shooting, and could have but one rifle, I would 
be satisfied with a .40-calibre chambered for the 70-grain 
straight shell, and with twist suiflcient to shoot a 3 70-grain 
bullet ; but would use a lighter bullet for hunting. If one 
finds pleasure in hunting both large and small game with 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 1 1 5 

the rifle, I think it more difficult to select the proper arm 
for small than large game. If one hunts in the New 
England or Middle States, the .45 or .40 answers for large 
game, and the .22- or .25-calibre for small game; but if the 
hunting is done in the West or South, the same rifle for 
large game would answer as in the other sections ; but for 
small game, I think the .25 or .32 central fire preferable. 

If the .25- or .32-calibres tear or smash the small game 
too much, lighten the powder charge ; but keep in mind 
when you do this you increase your curve, and, in taking 
long shots, your liability to over or under shoot is greater. 

I have experimented some with round bullets in hunt- 
ing rifles, but, with one or two exceptions, the results were 
very disappointing : even in the exceptions, where fair 
results were obtained, I concluded that it was far better 
to resort to a .22- or .25-calibre rifle than try and shoot 
round bullets out of a large calibre. Modern rifles have 
too quick twist for round bullets ; and I prefer to lighten 
the charge rather than employ the spherical projectile, 
which at best can never equal the elongated bullet. 

A question which occupies the mind of a sportsman 
when choosing a hunting rifle is, whether to select a 
single shot, a repeater, or a double-barrelled rifle. The 
Colt's Patent Fire Arms Co. formerly made a double rifle ; 
but its manufacture was discontinued some time ago, and 
this style of rifle is now made only to order in America. 
It calls for the very highest skill of the gunmaker to 
build a double rifle. There are but few gunmakers who 
can successfully accomplish it, and the cost is excessive. 
I do not believe there is a double rifle made which will 
equal in accuracy the single shot or repeating rifle. The 
accurate range of the double rifle is limited ; and however 
suitable for hunting in Great Britain and India, it is not 
popular, and probably never will be, for hunting in Amer- 
ica. It is said that there are one or two riflemakers in 
England who can make a double rifle so perfectly that both 



It6 modern AMERICAN RIFLES. 

barrels will shoot well on the same elevation, and shots 
from right and left barrel can be fired into a biillseye of 
regulation size. Even the makers of double rifles, with a 
world-wide reputation, are obliged to use the greatest care 
in putting the barrels together ; to often shoot, take apart 
and rearrange them, in order to regulate the arm so as to 
have both barrels shoot on the same line of elevation, as 
well as to keep the shots from crossing or shooting out. It 
is doubtless within the reach of mechanical skill to build 
a double rifle so it will shoot sufficiently accurate for hunt- 
ing purposes, when the game is shot within 150 yards; 
but I have yet to see the double rifle which will shoot 
with sufficient accuracy to suit most American sportsmen. 

I have referred in previous papers to the localities in 
this country where game must be shot at long range. It 
is known that in many sections most of the game is killed 
within a range of 100 yards ; but it is also a fact that cari- 
bou in the barrens of Maine and New Brunswick are 
often shot at a distance beyond 250 yards, and antelope 
on our plains are many times killed from 200 yards up- 
ward. I have seen antelope killed with a shotgun ; but 
my experience and the testimony of others lead me to be- 
lieve that more of these animals are shot at a range of 
over than under 200 yards. The big-horn and mountain- 
goat are often shot at long range, but the Virginia deer 
and moose are chiefly killed within 100 yards. 

I do not mean to hint that a double rifle cannot have 
range ; of course it can. I think no double rifle can have 
anything like the accuracy of a single shot, and believe 
the double rifles do not possess accuracy enough for 
hunting certain game found in America. I think there is 
no rifle in the world equal to a fine double English ex- 
press for shooting dangerous game at short range, when 
quick shooting is essential, and it would be difficult to 
fire more than two shots. This kind of game is not to be 
found in America. A double rifle of weight suitable to 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. \ \ 7 

be carried, must have quite light barrels ; and any double 
rifle, weighing from seven to eight pounds, must be a del- 
icate instrument, quite liable to be injured in a rough 
country. It is well known that a slight blow on a heavy 
rifle barrel may easily affect its shooting qualities, and it 
will be easily seen that a light double express is more 
liable to get out of order than a rifle with a heavier barrel. 

I have never yet seen a double rifle which possessed 
accuracy enough to place ten shots, five from each barrel, 
alternately, in an 8-inch bullseye, at 200 yards, aiming at 
one spot. Some of the experts who test double rifles, are 
so familiar with their idiosyncrasies, they can make allow- 
ance for the spread of the shots ; or shooting outward, and, 
by aiming differently for right and left barrel, place the 
shots well together. Double rifles have their uses, but 
are not the best suited for all-round shooting in the United 
States. This is recognized by American sportsmen, and 
the question generally is, whether the arm for hunting 
should be a single shot or a repeater. Both arms have 
their special features of merit, and the question is to some 
a perplexing one. 

Some of the points in favor of a single shot over a 
repeater are considered to be as follows : less dangerous, 
less complicated, and less liable to get out of order ; will 
shoot a greater variety of ammunition ; will shoot un- 
crimped ammunition, patched or unpatched bullets ; will 
permit of the use of a longer barrel ; an explosive bullet 
can be used ; a greater range of rear sights on tang can 
be used. 

The chief claims for a repeater are, greater rapidity of 
fire and a reserve of several shots. 

There could be collected from the advocates of each 
system, enough testimony to fill several volumes, and the 
unbiassed investigator could perceive potent points in 
each. There is no denying that each system has its ad- 
vantages and disadvantages. The single shot rifle has, 



Il8 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

perhaps, a greater number of advantages, but those of the 
repeater are more important. For target shooting, the 
person using a repeater against a single shot, is handi- 
capped ; but the person who can own but one rifle for 
hunting and target shooting, had better take the single 
shot. 

I have collected a large amount of testimony from 
hunters in many sections of the United States, which, 
with my own experience, forms the basis of my opinion 
expressed in the following remarks in relation to hunting 
rifles. The first point to be considered is the question of 
safety. It is undoubtedly true that an accident is more 
likely to occur with a magazine than a single shot rifle, 
for the reason that improper ammunition may be em- 
ployed. For many years I was a firm advocate of a single 
shot rifle, and opposed to a magazine, chiefly because I 
thought the latter dangerous to use. For years I investi- 
gated every case of accident with a Winchester magazine 
rifle I heard of — once riding forty miles in Dakota to 
find what I supposed would prove evidence that the Win- 
chester repeater was dangerous. In every instance I found 
it was carelessness which caused the accident. In the case 
referred to, the party had used too small primers. It is 
not safe to use copper primers or pointed bullets in the 
tubular magazine of a repeating rifle ; the shells should 
be solid head, with pocket sufficiently deep to allow the 
primer to be seated below the surface of the head of the 
shell. Care should always be taken in reloading car- 
tridges, to have the primer properly seated, and the bullet 
should have a flat point. 

Any magazine rifle is more likely to get out of order 
than a single shot, as there is so much more mechanism ; 
but the improvements which have been made reduce this 
liability to a minimum. Ammunition which is likely to 
give more accurate shooting, can be better used in a 
single shot than in a repeating rifle ; but it is certain that 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. II9 

cartridges cart be prepared containing the requisite 
amount of accuracy, and, as to the sights, effective ones 
can be employed, even if slightly less accurate. 

For several years I thought a single shot Sharps .45- 
calibre rifle the king of weapons. It had done such fatal 
work I had a sort of reverence for it. I also had a .40- 
calibre Maynard rifle, which had quite a record on game ; 
but my Sharps was, in my eyes, the most perfect of all 
hunting rifles. It was the 1874 model, with outside ham- 
mer, and I was inclined, in my exuberance of youth, to 
assert I could, when accuracy was considered, shoot it, 
and score as many points in a minute as any one with a 
repeating rifle of the same calibre. I shot a number of 
friendly matches with hunting companions, and the result 
was such that I continued to assert that one familiar with 
a single shot rifle, could equal the accurate fire from a 
magazine. This is, to some extent, true to-day ; but cer- 
tainly an expert in the use of the repeater can deliver 
accurate and more rapid fire than one with a single shot 
rifle. 

In the friendly contests alluded to, the shooting was 
generally done at about 100 yards' range, and the target 
was often a barrel-head or a wooden box. I would load 
the rifle, and with my left hand full of cartridges, some- 
times some in my mouth, besides a number in the pocket 
of a shooting-coat, I would commence firing. As soon as 
the rifle was discharged I would throw down the lever, the 
extractor throwing out the shell, and I could drop the 
fresh cartridge into the guide which led to the chamber ; 
and while the cartridge was sliding into the chamber, I 
would be reaching for the lever, and almost as soon as the 
cartridge was in its place the lever would be closed, and 
the piece cocked and at my shoulder, the whole operation 
being performed almost as rapidly as operating the lever 
of a magazine rifle. I calculated on my opponents not 
being able to resist firing rapidly, which would cause them 



120 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

not to sight properly — something they would almost 
invariably do, or to fire so quickly as not to recover from 
the shock of the recoil before the next shot ; and although 
more shots were fired with the repeater, they were less 
accurately delivered, the target being frequently missed. 
I utilized the time necessary to recover from the shock of 
the previous discharge in manipulating the rifle. I fre- 
quently, when shooting antelope with this rifle, would, 
when reloading, drop the cartridge from my hand, which 
would be ten inches away from the chamber, and it would 
slide into its proper place, permitting me to reload so 
rapidly as to fire three or four shots before the game was 
out of range. 

Several times in the course of my hunting experience I 
have shot at deer or antelope, and had them stop for an 
instant, presenting a fine mark, while I, with numbed 
fingers, was fumbling for a fresh cartridge. Those who 
have hunted antelope know the habit they have of stop- 
ping short, wheeling about, and gazing for an instant at 
the hunter ; and, as the shot is fired, they will seem to lose 
their heads for a second, bunch together in a confused 
mass, and then vanish like phantoms ; and this on the 
plains, where the sky and ground seem to meet. 

I was hunting in Dakota several years ago, and made 
for a small river. I crept through the cotton-wood growth 
which fringed the banks, hoping to get a shot at some 
geese which I noticed had dropped into the river. Sud- 
denly, from the opposite side of the river, there was a 
mighty rush, and a deer plunged wildly up the bank. I 
had a Maynard rifle in my hands, and shot and missed the 
deer. It reached the top of the opposite bank and stopped, 
side toward me, for an instant, presenting a silhouette 
figure and a fine shot. It was very cold, and I was heavily 
clad with a thick reefer, which was buttoned snugly about 
me, had on buckskin gloves, and my cartridges were in 
my outside pocket. Before I could reload my rifle the 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 121 

deer had disappeared, and I was muttering, " If I only had 
a repeater." This incident, with several others alluded to, 
convinced me that many times a person will lose game if 
he is armed with a single shot rifle, which he could secure 
if he had a repeater. But, knowing this, I could be per- 
fectly happy and contented if I were in a good game 
country where the game was chiefly deer, elk, and 
antelope, and had a single shot rifle ; although, in cold 
weather, a repeater is a great convenience, for it is a 
difficult operation to load a rifle hurriedly with fingers 
stiffened and numbed with cold. 

The chief value of a repeating rifle seems to me to be 
in hunting dangerous game, such as the grizzly bear, and 
the cougar; occasionally a wounded moose, elk, and black 
bear will turn on the hunter. I could relate scores of 
cases where hunters have lost their lives or been terribly 
lacerated and crippled by charging wounded animals. A 
double rifle will fire two shots, but there are hundreds of 
cases known where several shots were necessary to kill 
wounded game. A repeater is now a much more powerful 
arm than formerly, and, if hunting in company, a shot at 
a grizzly, if not fatal, generally checks him for an instant 
in charging, and often a companion can then fire the 
fatal shot. 

I think I am correct in saying that a majority of Amer- 
ican sportsmen now recognize the superiority of the 
repeating rifle over the single shot or double rifle for game 
to be found in the United States ; there are disadvantages 
in it, but its special advantages will make it the chosen 
arm for large game. The use of a repeating rifle is chiefly 
confined to a hunting rifle. 



122 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



CHAPTER X. 

TARGET RIFLES, RIFLES FOR OFF-HAND AND REST 

TARGET SHOOTING. 

A RIFLE best suited for target shooting exclusively 
would be quite different from one for hunting or warfare. 
In target rifles the chief object is accuracy. Trajectory, 
penetration, and other points considered essential in a 
hunting rifle are almost wholly disregarded if accuracy 
can be secured. There are three well-patronized depart- 
ments of target shooting with rifles in America, The 
most popular of these is off-hand shooting with a rifle 
which was, until recently, classed by the National -Rifle 
Association of America and other organizations as any 
rifle, which was restricted to a maximum weight of ten 
pounds, fitted with any style of sights, not magnifying, 
and with a 3-lb, trigger pull. In certain clubs the restric- 
tion on the trigger pull is removed. The second depart- 
ment is rest shooting, with butt of rifle to the shoulder, 
but the barrel supported by an artificial rest. Some of 
the rifles used in this style of shooting are similar to those 
for off-hand match shooting ; they are generally fitted 
with non-magnifying sights, often restricted to weight, 
but not, as a rule, to trigger pull. The third department 
is shooting with rifles of any weight, telescope sights, 
from any style of rest ; sometimes from machine rests. 
There are some departures in this country from the three 
styles of rifle shooting named, but those mentioned will 
describe most of the shooting done at targets, excepting 
the military practice, which will be treated separately. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 1 23 

A rifle for off-hand target shooting is chosen according 
to the ideas of the marksman. Some prefer a heavy arm, 
claiming such contributes to holding ; others demand a 
light rifle. A few years ago it was unusual to find a target 
shooter using a smaller calibre than .40 ; now, it is a rare 
thing to see an off-hand target rifle over .38-calibre, and I 
incline to the belief that the .32-calibre enjoys a greater 
popularity than the .38. It was formerly considered abso- 
lutely necessary to shoot a heavy bullet and a large charge 
of powder, and it was nothing unusual, as late as 1885, 
to find men shooting long range match rifles, off-hand, 
charged with 90 grains of powder and a 350- to 400-grain 
bullet. The .40-calibre had a reign of a few years, but 
had to give way to the .38-calibre, which has not yet been 
deposed, for the reason its excellence is well known, and 
if one wishes to indulge in both rest and off-hand shoot- 
ing with one rifle, there is no better calibre. 

The reader can probably easily see it is more difficult 
to procure one rifle best suited for the several styles of 
shooting I have mentioned, than for any one style wholly. 
If off-hand and rest shooting is to be indulged in with 
one rifle, certain features, to some extent, must be sacri- 
ficed, which would be retained if the arm was to be used 
exclusively for one or the other style of shooting. I will 
record what is considered desirable in a rifle to be used in 
the several styles of shooting by a majority of riflemen I 
have met. 

A rifle for target shooting seldom weighs over ten 
pounds or under eight; a majority prefer 'between nine 
and ten pounds. The Schiitzen rifle sometimes weighs 
fifteen pounds ; those are used almost wholly by German- 
American Schiitzen clubs, are barred from many Ameri- 
can clubs, and are far less popular than the rifle weighing 
between nine and ten pounds, which is the weight of most 
rifles used by Americans. The length of barrel for off- 
hand range shooting is seldom over 30 or under 28 inches. 



124 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

The weight of a target rifle is almost wholly governed by 
the size of the barrel, and the position a person assumes 
when aiming generally determines whether a light or heavy 
barrel is preferred. Most persons who shoot in the hip 
and body rest positions prefer a heavy barrel; those shoot- 
ing with left arm partially extended, a barrel of medium 
weight, while those holding the left arm fully extended 
generally show a preference for a light barrel. The most 
desirable point in an off-hand target rifle is balance ; by 
that I mean the barrel of such weight that when the rifle- 
man takes the position he assumes when sighting, the 
muzzle will not be so light as to prevent holding the rifle 
still, or so heavy at the muzzle that the butt cannot be 
held to the shoulder easily. The question of sights is one 
governed by preference, and the various styles have been 
described in a previous chapter. 

There is one thing about target rifles which, personally, 
I could never see any good reason for, and that is the 
Swiss butt-plate. Probably it helps the person who shoots 
with the hip rest position, and balances the rifle on the 
tips of the fingers ; but, by the use of this butt-plate, a 
marksman accustoms himself to shooting with the butt 
more on his arm than on his shoulder. There is a natural 
place provided for placing the butt of a gun or rifle ; and 
I believe a person can shoot better, stand recoil, and have 
the nerves less affected if the butt is placed on the fleshy 
part of the shoulder rather than on the muscles of the arm. 
If the shooter of the target rifle with a Swiss butt-plate 
attempts to shoot a heavily charged hunting or military 
rifle, he is likely to receive a shock that will not only crip- 
ple him, but cause flinching, that most fatal of all habits 
for a rifleman to contract. 

I have alluded to the change of opinion, during the 
past few years, in relation to the proper calibre for off- 
hand shooting. I think intelligent American riflemen 
have almost unconsciously arrived at a conclusion that 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



125 



/ 



V) 




126 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

each individual must determine the question of the proper 
calibre for off-hand shooting, and it is not a question of 
what calibre shoots best, but what calibre can be shot best 
by different persons. With the weight of rifles commonly 
used by American riflemen, I believe a .38- or .40-calibre 
will shoot more accurately in various weather conditions 
out-of-doors, at 200 yards, at rest, than any calibre over 
or under those named ; but I also believe that nine men 
out of ten will shoot off-hand at the target much better 
with calibres under than over the .38. The general reduc- 
tion of calibres and charges is the reason for the wonder- 
ful skill and improvement in off-hand target shooting in 
America. There are comparatively few persons who care 
to visit the rifle range and shoot 50 shots with a heavily 
charged target rifle ; it is extremely fatiguing, the nerves 
of the average person are shattered by excessive recoil, 
and soon there is an almost unconscious and uncontrol- 
lable inclination to flinch, and bad marksmanship and 
injury to the health result. 

With a rifle charged so as not to give unpleasant recoil, 
the marksman fires double or treble the number of shots ; 
he often ceases to shoot, when darkness compels a cessa- 
tion, and thus receives the exercise with no injurious strain 
on his nerves, and secures so much more practice that 
improvement is almost sure to follow. Although the state- 
ment may seem absurd, it is a fact that some men of strong 
physique can shoot a .22-calibre more accurately than a 
.45-calibre, at a distance of 200 yards ; and most of the 
best target shots of America can make much higher scores 
with a .32 than a .45-calibre. There is abundant evidence 
to show that the most accurate shooting rifle is not always 
the best for all off-hand shooting, where one's ambition is 
to make as high scores as possible. If one cares nothing 
for hunting with a rifle, and indulges in target shooting 
only, it would perhaps be sensible to select a rifle one could 
shoot best with ; but if one practises at the range, to keep 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



127 




Fig. 96.— Stevens' Target 
Rifle. 



Fig. 97.— Maynard Target 
Rifle. 



Fig. 98.— Bullard Target 
Rifle. 



128 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

in good shooting form, the shooting of very small calibre 
and a light charge is likely to seriously impair skill in 
rifle shooting with a military or even a moderately charged 
hunting rifle. 

It is quite generally admitted that a .38-calibre target 
rifle will shoot finer and with greater regularity than a 
.32-calibre. Wherever rest shooting has become a perma- 
nent department of rifle shooting, the various calibres have 
been tested with the greatest care, and by acknowledged 
experts. For rifles weighing between nine and twelve 
pounds, almost all skilled rest shooters have satisfied them- 
selves that the .38-calibre, with about 55 grains of powder 
and a 330-grain bullet, gives the most satisfactory results 
for rest shooting at 200 yards, with an American match- 
rifle. Some expert manufacturers of heavy target rifles — 
those weighing from 15 pounds upward,- — have unbounded 
confidence in this bore, and have made winning guns in 
tournaments where larger calibres contested ; but the fol- 
lowing year, in a similar contest, a larger bore might be 
successful ; so it leaves the much mooted question unde- 
cided. Still, from my own observations, and the testimony 
of riflemen from many quarters of this country, I form 
the impression that a majority of American rifle-makers 
and shooters believe the .38-calibre is the best for a 
target rifle to be shot from rest at 200 yards. 

The recoil of a rifle shot from a rest is more noticeable 
than when shot off-hand, and yet flinching is far more 
likely to occur with the latter. A person may flinch when 
shooting at a rest and not make anything like so wild a 
shot as he would doing the same thing in shooting off- 
hand. Few persons can shoot a 7^ -lb. rifle of .45-calibre, 
charged with 70 grains of powder and a 405-grain bullet, 
for 100 shots at a target, without being greatly fatigued, 
and their nerves so shaken as to flinch or brace them- 
selves in readiness to receive the recoil. Almost any one 
can shoot with pleasure the same number of shots with a 



^^fl 




130 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

.32-calibre, with 35 or 40 grains of powder and a 165- or 
185-grain bullet, and keep the nerves in such condition as 
to do fine target shooting. The practice derived from 
shooting the latter charges or even with the .35- or .38- 
calibre, can be considered good training for acquiring skill 
with the rifle for hunting or military work. 

It is generally admitted by American target shooters at 
the present time that there is a loss in accuracy below a 
certain calibre and charge ; but, as the lightly charged 
small calibre enables them to shoot longer, keep in better 
condition, and hold finer, the gain is considerably more 
than the loss when using a lightly charged small bore. It 
is a mistaken idea that a .25-calibre, with 20 grains of 
powder and an 86-grain bullet, shoots more accurately than 
a .32-calibre with 35 or 40 grains of powder and the usual 
target bullets ; or that the .32 will do finer and more relia- 
ble work that the .38-calibre. The work and targets of 
the .25- or .32-calibre are often wonderful, but they are 
selected and made under favorable conditions ; and I never 
yet have seen regular and continuous work, in all kinds of 
weather, with the .32- and .25-calibre which would compare 
favorably with the work of the larger bores. If one aspires 
to become proficient as an off-hand rifle shot, with the 
object of using the rifle in hunting, or qualifying himself 
as one competent to use the rifle effectively for national 
defence, or even contest at the target under all conditions 
and at various localities, I would advise the use of no rifle 
in off-hand target shooting at 200 yards — of less than .32- 
calibre, or shooting less than 35 grains of powder and 165 
grains of lead ; and only a limited use of any calibre 
smaller than .32 at shorter range. 

The second department in target rifle shooting I have 
alluded to as rest shooting with butt of rifle to the shoul- 
der and barrel supported by an artificial rest. This style 
of rifle shooting has become very popular in America, and 
it has taught riflemen a great deal. Before its introduc- 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



MI 



tion, most of the shooting was either Strictly off-hand at 
200 yards, at long range, by lying on the ground, or at 40 





Fig. 101.— Winchester IVIodel Fig. 102.— Siiarps-Borch- 
1873 Repeating Rifle, with ardt Off-Hand Target 

Target Sights. Rifle. 



Fig. 103.— Sharps-Borchardt 
Long-Range Target Rifle. 



rods with a heavy rifle shot from a machine-rest. There 
were no known attempts to make rest shooting popular at 



132 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

200 yards, with rifles under ten pounds in weight, and butt 
held to shoulder, on a fine target, until the Massachusetts 
Rifle Association, at the request of some of its members, 
introduced it. It was highly amusing to some of the 
riflemen to think of shooting with a rest, for it was sup- 
posed that any one at all familiar with rifle firing could 
shoot into the centre of the eight inch bullseye as long as 
desired, by resting the rifle. I well remember when Mr. 
F. J. Rabbeth submitted the proposition to the board of 
directors, the amusement it created. The rest match was 
authorized and similar ones have been continued ever 
since. To the dismay of many it was found that either 
from fault in rifle, ammunition or shooter, but few could 
keep ten consecutive shots in the eight inch bullseye ; but 
from the initial match a number of riflemen commenced 
to study the rifle and this style of shooting, changing rifle 
and ammunition, until there has been developed a form of 
rifle which is considered best for this style of shooting, 
exclusively. 

I have before stated that some riflemen use one rifle 
for off-hand and rest shooting, but those who essay to 
make high scores, sooner or later procure rifles specially 
adapted to one kind of work. The difference between a 
rifle for rest and off-hand shooting is almost wholly in the 
barrel. In an off-hand rifle, the shooter seeks to procure 
an arm which suits him in regard to balance ; in rest 
shooting this is disregarded, but a long, heavy barrel is 
considered desirable. Twelve pounds is generally the 
maximum weight for rest rifles in the style of shooting I 
am now describing, and a handicap is often put on rifles 
exceeding that weight. The barrels are seldom over 32 
inches in length and generally 30, and the calibre rarely 
less than .38 or over .40, generally .38. The chief advan- 
tage in a long barrel is the securing of a more certain 
sight. As you lengthen the barrel of a rifle you increase 
your liability to secure a variation in the size of the bore, 



MODERN AMERICAN RIELES. 1 33 

and this often occurs on the last one or two inches of the 
barrel, making it a poor shooting rifle. Many condemned 
rifles have proved to be fine shooting arms by the cutting 
off of an inch or two from the muzzle end of the barrel. 

It may be difficult for some to understand what is 
meant by good holding in shooting with a rest, but it is a 
fact that it is difficult to hold a light rifle perfectly still, 
even when resting the barrel on a solid rest. A heavy 
barrel materially aids in good holding, and therefore rest 
shooters' rifles are much heavier than those used for off- 
hand shooting. In the opinion of most rest shooters, 
nothing is gained beyond a certain weight, and some think 
a loss is apparent. Rifles for this style of shooting, of 
.38-calibre, which is generally used, rarely exceed twelve 
pounds in weight. A shotgun butt is becoming more 
popular for rest rifles, and most of these arms are equipped 
with set triggers, but provided with a safety lock. Tele- 
scope sights have of late been used to some extent, but 
as a rule these arms are equipped with sights similar to 
those used on off-hand target rifles. 

There is a class of rifles much like those employed for 
rest shooting, which are very little used at the present 
time, and are quite likely to never again be popular. They 
are the long range target rifles. These arms generally 
have barrels of 32 or 34 inches in length and weigh just 
under ten pounds. They have a shotgun butt and the 
arrangement for the rear sight permits attaching at the 
grip or heel. There is little or no sale for such rifles in 
America at the present time ; the sport has declined to 
such an extent as to call it dead, with no prospect of its 
being resurrected. The rifle for rest shooting has taken 
its place, and the skill necessary to excel as a rest shot is 
thought to be as of high an order as that required to win 
fame in off-hand or long range shooting. A great many 
riflemen devoted to off-hand shooting cannot find the pleas- 
ure in shooting with artificial rest that they can off-hand, 



134 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

standing with no artificial aid ; but there are few intelli- 
gent devotees to the sport of rifle shooting but that recog- 
nize that the introduction of rest shooting has taught the 
fraternity more about the possibilities of rifle shooting 
than could be gained in shooting off-hand, and a steady 
improvement in rifle ammunition and the mode of manip- 
ulating the rifle has been apparent, since the introduction 
of this style of shooting. 

When rest shooting was first attempted at Walnut Hill, 
it was thought that the old, long range rifles could be 
utilized and a great advantage secured by the heavy charge 
of powder and lead, usually about no grains of powder 
and a 550-grain bullet. All who tried such rifles at 200 
yards — and they were the most careful and skilful rifle- 
men in Massachusetts, men who had won reputations as 
marksmen at home and abroad — satisfied themselves that 
for shooting at 200 yards the .45-110-550 would not com- 
pare favorably in accuracy with the .38-55-330, in a ten 
pound rifle. The impressions created by these tests were 
that the .38-calibre with the charge named was the more 
accurate ; that the bullets from the long range rifle did 
not settle down to a flight of equal steadiness at 200 yards, 
but at the long ranges its superiority was manifest. 

There is a class of rifles yet to be mentioned, to com^ 
plete the list of those used at targets exclusively, and 
which is the most difficult of all to describe. They inclu ' 
breech and muzzle loaders, of calibres from .32 to .65, 
weights up to 50 or 60 pounds. In the other department. 
of rifle shooting in America, there is a similarity to the arm 
used in different classes. In this department, which I shall 
try to briefly describe, there is a great dissimilarity. Some 
allude to these rifles as muzzle loading, telescopic sighted 
rifles ; but many modern rifles weighing less than ten 
pounds, used for hunting, are equipped at the present time 
with telescope, so this term is not proper. Probably most of 
the rifles of this class are muzzle loaders ; it is only seldom 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 1 35 

one is found of as small calibre as .32, and there are not 
many of .38, though this latter bore is increasing in popu- 
larity. There are .39, .40, .41, and various regular and odd 
calibres. The National Rifle Club is the most represen- 
tative body shooting this class of rifles, and the standard 
weight of rifles is 20 pounds ; all competitors shooting rifles 
over that weight, must give yi inch per pound, and under 
20 pounds receive yi inch per pound in each string of 10 
shots. In this way the differences in weights of rifles are 
adjusted. There are but few rifles used for target shooting 
at the present time weighing over 20 pounds. As a rule, 
these heavy rifles are loaded with the greatest care, after 
which they are taken to a machine-rest, in which they are 
placed ; the telescopic sight is trained on the target and 
the trigger set ; the marksman then takes a seat by the 
side of the arm and watches the effect of the wind, as 
indicated by sets of long streamers placed at different 
parts of the shooting grounds. When satisfied the condi- 
tions are as good as likely to be secured, the trigger is 
touched and the rifle discharged. The devotees to this 
style of shooting have various opinions as to the best cali- 
bre and charges, and the rifles used are almost wholly 
made to order and not sold in the gun stores. I do not 
believe there are a hundred riflemen in America who prac- 
tise this style of rifle shooting, but those indulging in it 
are full of enthusiasm, and, as a rule, care nothing for 
the other departments. 



136 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



CHAPTER XI. 



MILITARY RIFLES, 



A RIFLE suitable for military use generally means a 
long range rifle, so modelled and of such weight that it 
may be shot from the shoulder, off-hand, at short, mid, or 
long range ; or lying down in any position, and at various 
ranges. 

American military rifles in use at the time of writing 
this chapter, are seldom smaller than .40 or larger than 
.50-calibre, the United States Government calibre being 
.45, as are most of the American military rifles manufac- 
tured by private firms and companies. 

It has always been considered desirable to secure range 
and penetration in military rifles, consequently a heavy 
projectile is employed, which necessitates a quick twist in 
such rifles. A military rifle as shot from the shoulder 
must be limited in weight ; therefore, when using a bullet 
sufficiently heavy to give long and accurate flight, with 
penetration, the powder charge must be limited to enable 
the soldier to stand the recoil ; but by limiting the pow- 
der charge, a high trajectory is maintained. Thus a mili- 
tary rifle contains features considered undesirable in rifles 
for hunting or target shooting. In America, the popular 
calibre for a military rifle has been .45 for a number of 
years. The volunteers of the State of New York are 
armed with a rifle of .50-calibre; but, aside from this, 
the U. S. Army, and the volunteers of every State but 
New York, are armed with the U. S. Springfield rifle of 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



137 




138 MODERN^ AMERICAN RIELES. 

.45-calibre. The U. S. Naval Department, to some extent, 
is supplied with the Lee rifle, taking the same cartridge 
as the Springfield rifle ; and some branches of the volun- 
teers are supplied with the Lee rifle. Besides the Spring- 
field and the Lee rifles, — the former being manufactured 
at the U. S. Armory at Springfield, Mass., and the latter. at 
the Remington's Works at Ilion, N. Y., — are various 
models of the Winchester Repeating Arms Co., made at 
New Haven, Conn., which find a large sale in foreign 
countries, and are largely used by mounted police and 
private guardians of peace. In addition to the various 
models of the Winchester Co., for infantry, cavalry, and 
mounted police, is the well-known Hotchkiss rifle, manu- 
factured at this company's armory. 

There are several models of American military rifles 
still in use, the manufacture of which has long been dis- 
continued ; these would include such rifles as the Sharps 
and Peabody-Martini. There are also numerous rifles 
which have not been manufactured in quantity, and are 
not likely ever to be, although, perhaps, possessing merit. 

The inventor of a military rifle, or a new mechanism 
for such, was formerly considered a genius ; but there are 
many intelligent American mechanics at the present time 
who could produce several new rifles annually, and most 
of the manufacturers of American rifles have numerous 
completed working models of military rifles which have 
never been introduced. 

As military rifles are long range rifles and are obliged 
to shoot limited charges, the curve of the bullet or trajec- 
tory is very high, and consequently the soldier is very 
likely to shoot over or under the object aimed at. Mili- 
tary experts are aware of this, and they also know that 
success in future warfare is likely to be determined by the 
ability of an army to be able to fire very rapidly at the 
critical moment ; hence, the grand problem with those 
endeavoring to perfect a modern military rifle is, how to 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



139 





140 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

lower the trajectory, keep accuracy, and a recoil that can 
be borne ; also secure a rapid-firing rifle, which means a 
magazine system. 

To write of military rifles at the present time is to 
chronicle what the rifle experts of the world know of arms 
which are likely to soon become obsolete. To attempt a 
description of the military rifle of the future would be to 
put on record what is undeveloped ; for, in endeavoring to 
accomplish with the future arm what to the present time 
has been considered impossible with the old rifle and 
ammunition, — new principles must be employed. 

With the .45-calibre, if range is to be retained, a heavy 
bullet must be used ; if the powder charge is increased 
the recoil becomes unbearable ; if the rifle is made heavier 
to take up the recoil the arm is unwieldy ; if the bullet is 
lightened, range and penetration are sacrificed though the 
trajectory is lowered. Military authorities believe the 
desideratum therefore, cannot be reached with the .45-cal- 
ibre with modern black powder and ordinary lead. 

Recent experiments have been almost wholly in the 
direction of a reduction in the calibre for military rifles. 
In doing this it was soon noted that excessive fouling was 
encountered ; it was seen that the projectile must be very 
hard and the twist of the rifle quickened. It also became 
apparent that beside overcoming the fouling, which would 
not only arise from a reduction in calibre, but by the more 
rapid firing, there was the difficulty of excessive smoke. 
Nitro powders have been recognized as the remedy for 
above obstacles ; but such compounds have never been 
thought the best for rifle powders, and can be used in cer- 
tain charges only with metallic-jacketed bullets. This 
form of projectile is thought to be less accurate than 
those of lead, and so wearing on the rifle as to quickly 
destroy its effectiveness. 

It is claimed by the advocates of modern small-bore 
military rifles that the favored calibres, .30 and .32, are 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



141 





MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 1 43 

calculated to wound rather than kill, which is desirable. 
It is stated that the soldier can carry a much larger 
amount of ammunition with the modern small calibre ; 
but to offset this advantage is the fact that if armed with 
a repeating rifle a soldier shoots much more ammunition. 

I have yet to meet the well-informed military rifleman 
who believes that any small bore military rifle of .30 or 
.32-calibre, or cartridge for same, has yet been devised 
which equals the .45-calibre rifle with the ammunition at 
present in general use. 

Most riflemen believe the future military rifle will em- 
body a magazine system, and few doubt the bore of it will 
be smaller ; indications point to a detachable magazine for 
the future American military rifle, and a bolt system rather 
than a lever. 

Expert riflemen have seen no great improvements in 
nitro compounds for rifles, and unless the future develops 
improved compounds the indications seem to point to no 
smaller calibre than. 3 8, and a powder between the present 
black compound and the uncertain nitro powders, which, 
so far as applicable to the use of rifles, seem undeveloped. 



144 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



CHAPTER XII. 



A POCKET RIFLE. 



Among the numerous styles of firearms produced in 
America is one which seems Hke an overgrown pistol or a 
miniature rifle, which, so far as I know, is peculiarly an 
American invention, certainly only made in this country 
in quantity, and is known as a pocket rifle. These arms 
were for many years manufactured by Frank Wesson at 
Worcester, Mass., and J. Stevens & Co. at Chicopee Falls, 
Mass., also for a brief time by the Bay State Arms Co. at 
Uxbridge, Mass. For some time past Mr. Wesson has 
gradually decreased his products, and at present he has 
almost ceased manufacturing ; the Bay State Arms Co. 
was discontinued, but the J. Stevens Arms and Tool Co., 
successors to J. Stevens & Co., has increased its produ- 
cing capacity, suggested new ammunition, and altered the 
twists of its pocket rifles to shoot the modern small bore 
cartridges, so that at the present time all pocket rifles but 
the Stevens' are nearly obsolete, shooting cartridges which 
are not esteemed by riflemen ; but the Stevens' pocket 
rifles taking the cartridges suggested, and favored by 
practical riflemen, stand without a rival. It was years 
before I was attracted to these little arms, and as I look 
back and remember the aversion I had for them, I think 
the cause of my dislike was because of the poor ammuni- 
tion advertised to shoot in them. 

Several years ago I was indulging myself with a fishing 
trip, and one of the days the weather being unpropitious. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 145 

the rod was rested and I was casting about for some 
amusement, when my friend and host noticing my plight, 
said : " Why don't you get my little pocket rifle and shoot 
at a target ? I have plenty of cartridges." This was irre- 
sistible for a person who loves to shoot, and in a brief 
time I was being initiated into the shooting of an 18-inch 
Stevens' pocket rifle. I was amazed at its accuracy, and 
my investigations at that time continued until my friend's 
cartridges were exhausted. The interest created in this 
class of firearms was awakened, and some time ago I 
commenced investigating and testing them to learn their 
capabilities with modern cartridges. 




Fig. 115. — Stevens' Reliable Pocket Rifle. 

There are two models manufactured by the J. Stevens 
Arms and Tool Co., which are esteemed by sportsmen, and 
are known as the Hunter's Pet rifle and the New Model 
Pocket rifle. The Hunter's Pet rifle is made with bar- 
rels from 18 to 24 inches, in calibres from .22 to .44, rim 
or central-fire cartridges, and weighs from 5 to 5^ pounds. 
There can be one or more barrels fitted to one stock, per- 
mitting interchanging, and, if desired, a shot barrel, 
chambered for the .38, and .44 central-fire shells or the 20- 
gauge shot shell can also be made to interchange with the 
rifle barrels. The New Model Pocket rifle is made with 
barrels from 10 to 18 inches in length, in .22-, .25-, and 
.32-calibres, and weighing from 2 to 2 3^ pounds. Both 
the Hunter's Pet and New Model Pocket rifles are fitted 
with various styles of sights, and one can have target, 
hunting or combination sights. There is also another 



T46 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

model known as the Reliable Pocket rifle, made by the 
Stevens Company, which is still smaller than those men- 
tioned. It has a lo-inch barrel and is made in .22-calibre. 

Some pistol shooters have devised ways of converting 
their pistols into pocket rifles, by attaching a skeleton 
stock to the pistol and generally adding a long barrel. 

In experimenting with these little arms, I soon formed 
the opinion that arms so light and compact as these were 
best adapted to small calibres. It is a fact that a Hunter's 
Pet rifle will shoot a cartridge as heavy as the .44-40-200 
Winchester astonishingly well, but I always preferred a 
regular rifle for such ammunition ; and as the .22 and .25 
rim and central-fire cartridges seemed to be the legitimate 
cartridges for pocket rifles, I gave my attention to such 
almost wholly. 

My experiments with the Hunter's Pet rifle were con- 
ducted at Walnut Hill, and were with four different bar- 
rels ; three barrels were of 22 inches in length, two of 
which were for .22 and .25-calibre, and for the rim-fire 
cartridges, another for the .25 central-fire cartridge, and 
the fourth for the latter cartridge, but the barrel was but 
18 inches long. The rifle was fitted with a Lyman sight 
on grip, and an aperture target sight on barrel. The 
shooting was at 200 yards with rest, and the plan adopted 
for testing the various barrels was as follows : three tar- 
gets were thrown up from the pits, and as many riflemen 
did the shooting. As the sighting would be different for 
each, no attempt was made to keep the shots in the bulls- 
eye, but the shooting was for groups. 

The first trial was with the .25-calibre rim-fire cartridge 
in 22-inch barrel, weather conditions good, there being 
but a light wind. Three groups of ten shots each were 
fired. In the best group, the ten shots were on or in a 
circle 10^ inches in diameter ; nine of them on or in a 
6^ -inch circle, and five on or in a 2^ -inch circle. The 
second series were grouped on and in a circle loyi inches 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



H7 



K> 





148 MoDEkN' AMERICAN- RIFLES. 

in diameter, and half of them in a 3^ -inch circle. In 
the test, ammunition was used that had been on hand over 
a year. Both groups were enlarged considerably by one 
shot, which, if it could be properly eliminated, would 
show groups fine enough to satisfy most riflemen using a 
regular rifle, if taking such ammunition. 

The second test was with the .25-calibre central-fire 
cartridge in the 22-inch Hunter's Pet, at 200 yards, with 
the regular charge of powder and the 86-grain bullet, three 
groups being shot. The best group showed ten shots 
on or in a 7-inch circle, and five in a 2^ -inch circle. The 
next best showed ten shots on and in a 7>^-inch circle, 
eight of which were in a 3^ -inch circle, and five in a i^^g- 
inch circle. 

While sighting the .25-central-fire barrel, after chan- 
ging from the .25-calibre rim-fire barrel, in order to get the 
groups near the centre of the target, it was found that the 
shots were key-holing badly, one going through the target 
its entire length sideways, and most of.the others tipping, 
and, although the groups were satisfactory, more than half 
of the bullets were staggering. In fact, it was a repetition 
of all previous experiments with the 86-grain bullet in 
this calibre. Perceiving the staggering bullets, the 75- 
grain bullet was substituted, and thirty more shots fired in 
series of ten shots each. All indications of tipping of 
bullets at once disappeared. The best groups showed the 
ten shots on and in a circle 5^8 inches in diameter, eight 
shots in 2^ -inch, and five shots in i^-inch circle. The 
next best group was in 7^ inches, and five shots were 
in a 3-inch circle. 

The 18-inch .25-calibre barrel was then attached to the 
stock, and shot with the 75-grain bullet, and the ten shots 
were on and in a circle J^ inches in diameter, nine shots 
in S/i inches, and 5 in a 3^ -inch circle. 

The .22-calibre 22-inch barrel was then attached and 
shot with the long-rifle cartridge of U. M, C. Co.'s make. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 1 49 

The best ten shots were on and in a 7^ -inch circle, and 
five of the shots in a 3^ -inch circle. It was the opinion 
of the three riflemen who shot the different barrels, that 
with good weather conditions one could very often place 
ten consecutive shots in the regulation bullseye at 50, 100, 
and 200 yards, with any and all of the barrels from 18 to 
22 inches in length, and often much finer shooting could 
be done. In shooting the above scores of shots it was at 
once seen that if a less number of shots than ten were 
taken as a test of the shooting qualities of the barrels, 
much finer results could be presented. To illustrate : 
while shooting the ten shots with the 18-inch .25-calibre 
central-fire barrel, the writer remained in the pit while the 
shots were being fired from the rest at the shooting 
pavilion. After each shot was fired the target was low- 
ered and the shot numbered. The first five shots were 
on and in a circle 3^ inches in diameter; the first seven 
shots in a group 5^ inches in diameter, and the tenth 
shot enlarged the circle to 7^^ inches. Before the shooter 
saw the target, and immediately after he fired the tenth 
shot, he called the shot as low, caused by a perceptible 
but uncontrollable movement at the instant of firing. 
Nearly all the groups were considerably enlarged by one 
shot. 

Experienced riflemen can make their own deductions 
from this shooting, but to those of little experience I 
would say, it is much more difficult to shoot a light rifle, 
or a rifle with a light barrel, than a heavy one, especially 
from a rest ; the shorter the barrel, the more difficult it is 
to shoot and greater the uncertainty in sighting. All of 
the above shooting was at 200 yards from rest with butt 
to shoulder, and muzzle rested, and no cleaning of the 
rifle between shots. 

My experiments with the New Model Pocket rifle have 
been more desultory, more thorough, but the results less 
carefully recorded than with the Hunter's Pet. The rea- 



I 50 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

son for this is, I have for years carried a New Model 
Pocket rifle with me on almost every trip I have made, 
whether hunting, fishing, or recreating in the country in 
any form. A Hunter's Pet is often more convenient to 
carry than a regular rifle, and the Pet shoots so nearly 
equal to a regular rifle that its greater compactness and 
portability commend it to many. But quite a number 
seeking these features prefer to go still further, and in 
the New Model Pocket rifle they find an arm with one- 
half the weight of the Hunter's Pet, and about the same 
reduction in compactness, with scarcely any perceptible 
decrease in accuracy. 

But as to the accuracy of this latter arm I have stated 
that my record is less minute. All my shooting and 
observations with the Hunter's Pet were at the target, 
but with the little New Model Pocket rifle it has been 
both at target and on game. But as this chapter is chiefly 
one in relation to the capabilities of the arm, I will first 
refer to its accuracy. The New Model Pocket rifle, as 
before stated, weighs from 2 to 2^ pounds, and has barrels 
from 10 to 18 inches in length, and is bored and rifled for 
the .22, .25, and .32-calibres ; at the present time chiefly 
for the .22 long-rifle and .25 rim-fire Stevens' special car- 
tridge. With the 18-inch barrel .22-calibre I have seen ten 
consecutive shots placed in the regulation bullseye at 50, 
100, and 200 yards, and have seen the same thing done 
with the .25-calibre, shooting the rim-fire cartridge. At 
50 yards I have seen a score of 97 out of 100 in ten shots, 
at rest, on the Standard American reduced target, with a 
two inch bullseye, made with the 18-inch, .22-calibre and 
long-rifle cartridge. At 100 yards, I find by my memoran- 
dum book that ten shots with this barrel, fired at that dis- 
tance, could be enclosed in a three inch circle, and at 200 
yards the first trial showed ten shots in a parallelogram 
jY?. X 8 inches. At the first trial of the .25-calibre rim-fire 
at 200 yards an aggregate of 92 points was secured on the 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



iSi 



Standard target in ten shots, shooting at rest, and the 
second ten shots aggregated the same. With the 1 8-inch, 
.22-calibre, many scores of 45 out of 50 in ten shots, 
Creedmoor count, have been re- 
corded in off-hand shooting in 
regular matches at Walnut Hill, 
and two or three 46's, these 
scores being in the 70' s by 
Standard target count. 

The 15-inch barrels in .22- 
calibre shoot nearly as well as 
the 18-inch, but it is a little 
more difficult to sight, and the 
12 and 1 0-inch barrels, though 
very accurate, are still more 
difficult to sight, as the sights 
are so near together. The front 
sight appears to grow larger 
each time a shorter barrel is 
tried ; and in shooting at a bulls- 
eye of regular size at prescribed 
distances, the front sight on a 
10 or 12-inch barrel is much 
larger than the bullseye aimed 
at. Barrels under 15 inches in 
length had better be used as 
pistols, holding them as such in 
one hand. 

Many persons consider such 
arms as pocket rifles toys, or 
diminutive shooting irons solely for playthings. But they 
are of the greatest service for hunting, as well as a 
great source of amusement. A pocket rifle can be car- 
ried when a regular rifle cannot. The barrel of a 15-inch 
pocket rifle can be readily detached and carried with the 
stock in an ordinary-sized hand-bag. With such an arm, 




Fig. 118. 



Case for Stevens' Pocket 
Rifles. 



152 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

I have shot, or known to be shot, various kinds of vermin, 
nearly all kinds of feathered game, including the wild 
turkey, besides hawks, crows, blackbirds, kingfishers, and 
sheldrake. Several deer and a moose I know of being 
killed with pocket rifles, but, of course, would not advise 
firing at deer and moose with such arms. I know, how- 
ever, one man who has killed many deer with an 18-inch 
Hunter's Pet, chambered and rifled for a .32-20 Winches- 
ter cartridge. 

It is not my object to claim that a pocket rifle is better, 
or as good as a regular rifle, for, under most circum- 
stances, they are not, but they have their uses, and at 
times are far better than a full-sized rifle. When hunt- 
ing in a big game country they are far better to shoot 
grouse and other small game than a large rifle or a shot- 
gun ; they can be transported in a smaller space than a 
regular rifle, and when it is not convenient or possible to 
carry the regular rifle, a pocket rifle can be transported 
without inconvenience, and they are sufficiently powerful 
and accurate to kill certain kinds of game. Many anglers 
carry them when on fishing trips, and find a frequent 
use for them in shooting off small limbs of trees in which 
their lines become entangled. 

If these little arms possess the merits they have been 
shown to have, why should not the fraternity of sports- 
men know it .'' I have often convinced sceptical people, 
who insisted that the little " pop-gun " was a boy's play- 
thing, that besides being a source of perennial enjoyment, 
it was of great practical value as an exterminator of pre- 
datory birds and animals ; and they were always willing to 
acknowledge its merits when some toothsome small game 
was gathered in by it, and notwithstanding my penchant 
for big bore heavily charged hunting rifles, I think there 
is nothing I prize more highly in my sporting outfit than 
a pocket rifle. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 1 53 



CHAPTER XIII. 

POSITIONS IN RIFLE SHOOTING. 

In previous chapters I have written of the various styles 
of rifle shooting followed in America. In each depart- 
ment there are various ways of manipulating the rifle ; 
rules often governing them. In certain styles of rifle 
shooting, a man may shoot the rifle in any way desired ; 
but in the clubs which follow the national or nearly similar 
rules, there are certain restrictions, and among them are 
provisions for positions. In off-hand shooting, up to and 
including 300 yards, the position is generally standing on 
both feet, free from any artificial rest or support. For- 
merly a rifleman was compelled to hold the left hand in 
front of the trigger guard, — unless he was left-handed, 
when this would apply to the right hand, — but this rule 
has been abolished, and now a person may hold his left 
hand and arm fully extended as far as he can reach, or he 
may place it on the trigger guard, or even back of it if 
desired ; the right hand and arm may be in any position ; 
legs and body as desired, so long as the rifleman stands 
on both feet and receives no artificial support. Such 
shooting is classed as off-hand shooting. 

A rifleman is generally able to shoot well in almost any 
position, if the object shot at be large and at short range ; 
but when he aims at the eight inch bullseye at a distance 
of 200 yards, or one proportionally reduced at a shorter 
distance, it is found that it is impossible to hold the rifle 
perfectly still, and the attempt is made to find a position 



154 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



in which one can hold the rifle best. Undoubtedly the 
physique of a person has its influence on the choice of 
positions, for nearly every rifleman sooner or later decides 
on some position which suits him best, and takes it when 
shooting. Young riflemen very naturally study the posi- 




|\S^Vi-nv.^ 



Fig. 119. — Off-hand Position. 




Fig. 120. — Off-hand Position. 



tions of experts, but as they find fine shots shooting in 
various attitudes, it generally follows that they try the 
different positions until they find a preferred one. As a 
rule, if one becomes skilful in rifle shooting, the position 
he shoots successfully in is retained through the rifle- 
shooting career ; though in some instances I have known 
men who have become good shots, to develop into phenom- 
enal marksmen by simply changing position ; others have 
deteriorated in skill by such change. I think a young 
rifleman should consider the subject of the best position 
to take, and when he has decided on one to continue to 
shoot in it. The person who often changes his position 
in rifle shooting, in my opinion, will not shoot so well as 
if he followed one mode of holding the rifle. When one 
becomes accustomed to holding the rifle in one way, even 
if it be a bad way, he can generally shoot better in that 
position than he can at first in a better one. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



155 



There are persons who shoot well with the left arm fully 
extended who would do very poor work with the rifle 
balanced on the tips of the fingers of the left hand and 
the elbow resting on the hip ; and the man who was accus- 
tomed to making high scores in the latter position, would, 
as a rule, do poor shooting with the left hand and arm 
extended. 

It has been found impossible to define any one position 
which shall be followed in rifle shooting, especially in off- 
hand work, and keep an in- 
terest in the sport. Many 
attempts have been made to 
compel following a certain 
position in target shooting, 
but gradually American rifle- 
men have recognized the fact 
that any one selected posi- 
tion would be advantageous 
to some and disadvantageous 
to others ; that an arbitrary 
definement means driving 
certain devotees to the sport 
from it, and the liberal pro- 
vision of any position without artificial support, has be- 
come almost universal. 

There is a popular impression that the ungraceful and 
sometimes ridiculous positions assumed, when rifle firing, 
are confined to the rifle range. Such is not the case. It 
is true that many positions are to be seen on rifle ranges, 
which would not be chosen as models of grace ; but it is 
because there are many assembled at one place of meeting, 
and the awkward positions are conspicuous. I have seen 
some old backwoodsmen hold rifles in most ridiculous 
manners, and have observed devices to assist in holding 
the rifle still, which would discount those seen on rifle 
ranges. 




Fig. ]21. — Off-hand Position. 



156 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

Anything written on positions in rifle shooting will per- 
haps prove more interesting to the beginner than to the 
veteran ; but often many who have followed one style of 
rifle shooting for years are introduced to another style, 
and find themselves seeking for a position in the new 
department of the sport. I will therefore give the various 
positions adopted by some of the most famous riflemen of 
America in the several styles of shooting. 

Figure 119 shows what is generally known as the off- 
hand position, with arm partially extended, and which for 
ease, grace, and command over the rifle, is, in my opinion, 
superior to all others, and worthy of imitation by all young 
shooters. If one desires to become expert in shooting the 
hunting rifle, there is no better way of holding the arm 
than this, and in target shooting a greater command over 
the rifle is secured than in most other positions. Pulsa- 
tion is less noticeable in this position than in others, and 
there is less cramping of muscles and cords than other- 
wise. The temptation to gain a support for the left arm 
is more than many riflemen can resist, and they abandon 
this excellent way of holding a rifle before the muscles 
are well trained to the position. While I shall endeavor 
to avoid being didactic, I cannot refrain from urging young- 
riflemen to try and cultivate the art of rifle shooting in 
this position, as certainly it is much preferable, if one 
indulges in hunting with the rifle. Some of the best rifle 
shots in America shoot in this manner ; among those I 
remember are Mr. O. M. Jewell, Mr. A. C. White, Major 
C. W. Hinman, of the Massachusetts Rifle Association, 
and Col. Wm. E. Fitch, of Albany, N. Y., T. J. Dolan, of 
New York, and many other fine shots, showing conclu- 
sively that although perhaps harder, it is quite within the 
possibilities to shoot as well as the best in this manner. 

Fig. 120 is nearly like that shown in Fig. 119, and all I 
have said of Fig. 119 applies to Fig. 120. It will be seen 
that the left arm is fully extended, and is referred to ^s 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. I 57 

off-hand position withi arm fully extended. Fig. 121 shows 
the same position with the military rifle. There are some 
riflemen who hold the left arm a little further extended 
than shown in Fig. 1 19, and others a little less than shown 
in Fig. 120. Some riflemen claim that holding the rifle in 
Fig. 120 position strains the cords in the left arm to such 
an extent as to cause unsteadiness, which is relieved by 
taking position No. 119. I think if one can hold according 
to position No. 120, it secures a better control of the rifle 
when the wind is blowing, and there is less liability of the 
rifle "getting away from you," as riflemen say, which 
means, when at the moment the trigger is pressed the 
control of the rifle is lost. It appears, however, from tes- 
timony of many riflemen, that many do not prefer this 
way of holding a rifle on account of the strain on the 
cords of the arm, which extends to the back of the neck, 
and some even claim, affects the vision. Mr. J. B. Fellows, 
a very reliable and excellent shot with an enviable record, 
has never shot in any other manner. Lieut. W. G. Hus- 
sey, of the Massachusetts Team which visited England, 
shoots brilliantly in this position. Col. H. J. Burns, of 
California, has won a reputation as a fine rifle shot by 
shooting thus, so has Col. E. J. Cram, of Maine, and many 
others. I know many hunters who hold a rifle in this 
manner, and for shooting at moving objects it is undoubt- 
edly superior to any other. 

Fig. 123 is generally known as the body rest position. It 
is quite popular. The rifleman stands erect, inflates his 
lungs as he places the butt of the rifle to his shoulder, 
the rifle rests between the index finger and thumb, at a 
point just in front of the trigger guard, the fingers of the 
hand are tightly closed, this gives a firmness to the mus- 
cles of the arm ; the elbow of the arm in front of the 
trigger guard is carried nearly under the rifle, and the set 
and extended muscles of the arm find a natural support 
on the distended breast. This is the adopted position of 



15! 



MODERN AMERICAN RIELES. 



the well-known target shot, Mr. Geo. F. Ellsworth. Many- 
hunters adopt this position. It is doubtless less fatiguing 
to shoot for two or three hours at the target in this way 
than with the arm fully or partially extended, and for this 




Fig. 122. — An Off-Hand Position of an Expert American Rifleman in 1891. 



reason it commends itself to many. I am under the im- 
pression that this position is not so good for hunting as 
some others, and will give my reasons. I shot for several 
years at the target in this manner, and so much practice 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



159 



was indulged i^n that I could not shoot well in other off- 
hand positions. I found myself later on the plains, and 
when I was about to shoot at game I thought best to take 
another position. I tried that shown in Fig. 120, and found 
I could not hold the rifle satisfactorily. I would try to 
sight on game in position shown in Fig. 120, and being un- 
able to hold well would assume position Fig. 119 ; still, not 





Fig. 12; 



■ Body rest Position. 



Fig. 124. — Body rest Position. 



holding well, would take my regular position. Fig. 1 23, when 
I could hold well enough to kill game. I later discovered 
that any unusual exercise — and all who hunt are likely to 
take very vigorous exercise — caused increased pulsation 
and palpitation to such an extent as to make unsteady 
holding. When I attempted to shoot at moving game I 
found position Fig. 123 very unsatisfactory, and Fig. 120 
best suited to it. Thus I became impressed with the idea 
that unless one confines his rifle shooting to the target, it 
is best to adopt a position one will use in hunting, even if 
his scores be lower at the target. 

Fig. 124 shows the body rest with the military rifle, and 
a certain amount of support gained by the index finger 
being extended along the forestock of the rifle. Some 
marksmen allow the trigger guard to rest in the palm of 



i6o 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



the left hand ; others, the rifle resting between the thumb 
and forefinger, or through the first and second finger, the 
inside of the arm, from elbow upward, supported against 
the body. Lieut. Fred Kuhnle, of California, shoots thus ; 
so does Mr. Geo. C. Thaxter, the wonderful off-hand mili- 
tary shot of Nevada, and Mr. L. L. Hubbard, of Massa- 
chusetts. Of California's noted rifle shots F. O. Young, 
Howard Carr, Chris. Meyer, Ed. Hovey, S. I. Kellogg use 
this position, or one much like it. I think stout men, as a 
rule, prefer the body rest positions. 

Fig. 125 is incorrectly called by many the hip rest posi- 
tion. It is a body rest position, with the rifle balanced 





Figs. 125 and 126. —Body rest Position. 

on the tips of the thumb and fingers. No doubt that a 
person can shoot a long time without fatigue in this posi- 
tion ; and one with a delicate manipulation with a lightly 
charged rifle can shoot with amazing fineness at the 
target. New Hampshire's wonderful shot, Mr. George H. 
Wentworth, has made some of the finest known scores in 
this position, shooting a Maynard .32-calibre rifle. Some 
of the Massachusetts team which visited England, shoot 
in this manner, as well as many German American shooters, 
and those who do most of their rifle shooting at the tar- 



MODEkX AMERICAN RIFLES. l6l 

get. There are some who get a natural support by com- 
bining the body rest and the hip position to a greater or 
less extent. 

Fig. 126 shows an inclination to hip rest position, Fig. 
127 shows the regular hip rest. 

Certain individuals have slim bodies, long arms and 
fingers, and in trying positions for off-hand shooting they 
discovered by throwing forward the left hip, resting the 
elbow on it, the rifle on the tips of the thumb and first 
and second fingers, the former on the trigger guard and 
the latter just in front of the guard, they secured an 
almost perfect natural rest for the rifle. Such marksmen 
as Messrs. H. G. Bixby, of New Hampshire, E. F. Richard- 
son, of Massachusetts, W. Milton Farrow, F. J. Rabbeth, 
C. H. Barstow, George R. Russell, Nathaniel C. Nash, and 
many other famous target shots have demonstrated what 
can be done in the way of target shooting in this position. 
This position is not a new one, as will be seen in Fig. 129, 
which is of an English rifleman in 1808. Some follow 
the mode referred to above, of resting the trigger guard 
in the palm of the hand, and the elbow on the hip. There 
is no doubt that the persons who can take the hip rest 
position have a great advantage in target shooting, but I 
think they would not be so successful in game shooting. 
Corpulent men cannot well adopt this mode of shoot- 
ing. 

When Mr. H. G. Bixby commenced rifle shooting he 
shot in position Fig. 120, and made good scores. He was 
ambitious to excel and tried the hip position and aston- 
ished the rifle-shooting world with his work, eclipsing 
many previous performances in target shooting. So bril- 
liant were his scores that staid old. shots were tempted to 
adopt his position, but most of them were unlike Messrs. 
Bixby, Richardson, and Farrow in form, and made unsatis- 
factory work of the hip rest position, and wisely returned 
to their old manner of holding a rifle. 



l62 



MODERN AMERICAN RIELES. 



Fig. 128 shows a mode of holding a target rifle practiced 
by German Americans and those who shoot with them. 
A palm rest is attached to the rifle to aid in holding. 
Such appliances are fitted only for target shooting, and 
are not popular among most of those to the manor born. 

Riflemen are inclined to recommend to all, the position 
they have found best suited to themselves ; as a result 




Figs. 127 and 128— Hip Rest Position. 

many beginners endeavor to shoot in a manner not suited 
to their forms. The best advice the writer can offer is to 
select a position you think best adapted to the style of 
shooting you desire to excel in, trying to secure a com- 
fortable one, then stick to it and don't change. 

The longer the distance at which a rifle is shot, the 
greater the difficulty in shooting in an off-hand position. 
In America most of the target rifle shooting, up to a dis- 
tance of 200 yards, is done off-hand ; and beyond that 
range various positions are adopted. There are ways of 
holding the rifle which are advantageous to hunters, and 
preferred to off-hand ; for, when seeking game, no pre- 
scribed rules are recognized ; it is a question of the most 
reliable way of holding the rifle. 

In some States the kneeling position is permitted in 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



163 




Fig. 129. — Otf-hand Position of an Expert English Rifleman in 1808. 



164 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



military rifle practice at 200 yards ; but, as a rule, this is 
not allowed except at 300 yards and beyond, and some- 
times not until reaching the 500-yards' range. 

Fig. 130 shows the kneeling position usually adopted by 
military marksmen. There are some slight modifications 

to this. The rifleman 
places the right knee 
on the ground, brings 
the butt of the rifle 
firmly to the right 
shoulder, places the 
left elbow on the left 
knee ; the rifle gener- 
ally rests in the palm 
of the left hand, either 
at a point just in front 
of the trigger guard 
or on the guard ; the fingers of the left hand, as shown 
in illustration, are tightly closed, if preferred. Some rifle- 




Fig. 130. — Kneeling Position (Military Rifle). 




Fig. 131. — Kneeling Position (Hunting Rifle). 



men extend the right limb, from knee to point of toe, 
along the ground ; others place the front toes of left foot 
on the ground, if they wear a stout pair of shoes, and sit 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 165 

on the calf of the leg. This latter mode throws most of 
the weight of ^he body on the left leg, from the knee 
down, and on the foot. Others throw the weight of the 
body forward so it is largely supported by the right limb, 
boot, body, and arm. 

Fig. 131 shows a position much used at one time by the 
writer, in hunting, and is from an instantaneous photo- 
graph taken when about to fire, and unknown to the 
shooter. There are many times when hunting, that it is 
impossible to stand and shoot in the off-hand position 
without being observed by the game ; and, again, it is 
impossible to see the game in the prone or back position, 
and perhaps the sportsman has no time to take a sitting 
position. Fig. 131 shows an excellent way of holding the 
rifle under such circumstances. 

I have many times endeavored to reach a certain spot, 
which seemed to be the nearest and best point from which 
to make a shot ; the game, perhaps, would be restless, or 
perhaps stop, after the first wild rushes, to satisfy their 
curiosity ; at such times, or under the conditions above 
alluded to, I have found the Fig. 131 position excellent. 
Dropping on the right knee v/ould be the first movement, 
tightly closing the fingers of the left hand, the second, 
placing the butt of the rifle hard to the shoulder next ; 
then dropping the rifle between the thumb and fore-finger, 
at a point just in front of the trigger guard, which would 
rest in the palm of the hand ; the index-finger of the right 
hand on the trigger, the other fingers tightly closed ; lungs 
fully inflated. In this position there would be a support 
from the tersely drawn muscles of right leg, arm, and 
hand, and the butt of the rifle pressed with considerable 
strength against the right shoulder, at a point as near the 
breast as you can conveniently place the stock. Although 
the muscles of the right hand are drawn taut, the index 
or trigger finger should not partake of that rigidity, but 
left to steadily but quickly press the trigger. 



l66 MODEKiV AMERICAX RIFLES. 

It is no easy matter to shoot well in the positions shown 
in Figs. 130 and 131, until accustomed to them. At first, 
one is likely to declare he can hold steadier in the off- 
hand position. This is because there is an unnatural 
strain in certain cords and muscles ; but practice soon 
gives a steadiness, and the average person can shoot 
better thus than in any of the off-hand positions. One 
can also largely overcome the swaying of the body, caused 
by the wind, in the kneeling position. As one becomes 
corpulent, the kneeling position is more difificult. There is 




Fig. 132. — Sitting Position. 

little doubt that the kneeling position is more reliable than 
the off-hand, and sitting is more certain than kneeling. 

As the distance at which a rifle is shot is increased and 
the size of the object aimed at retained, the difficulties are 
so much greater that rules in target shooting generally per- 
mit kneeling and sitting beyond a specified range. Figs. 132 
and 133 show two excellent positions, and one accustomed 
to shooting thus has a great advantage over the person 
shooting in any off-hand position. At 300 yards, shooting at 
the 8-inch bullseye, very fine scores have been made with 
the U. S. Springfield rifle held in this manner. Fig. 132 
is probably a steadier position, but individuals with a full 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 167 

abdominal development find it difficult, if not impossible, 
to shoot thus, but resort to that shown in Fig. 133. 

This is not only an excellent way to shoot with a military 
arm, but is good for target shooting with a match rifle, or 
with a hunting arm. Practice is required to develop the 




Fig. 133— Sitting Position. 

muscles in order to take these positions with ease and 
comfort. They cannot be assumed so speedily as Figs. 130 
and 131, but are more reliable if time permits taking them. 
Fig. 134 shows the prone position, and is very reliable 
for target shooting with match or military rifles, and, 
under certain conditions in hunting is the most reliable 
position I know of. Everyone who hunts with a rifle, 
especially if he seeks game on our western plains, should 
cultivate shooting in this manner. Certain military 
matches call for this position. The Interstate competition 
at Creedmoor makes this one of the conditions of the 
match, while the back position is allowed in the Hilton 
Trophy and other contests ; consequently, the States 
sending representatives to compete annually at Creed- 
moor advi&e practising at 500 yards, lying prone. Many 
attempting the prone position at first experience some 



1 68 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

difficulties. It is quite unsatisfactory, and I believe 
injurious to the health, to shoot a heavily charged rifle in 
this position, as persons are usually attired. I have known 




^"^^.^^ 



Fig. 134. — Prone Position. 



men to seriously injure their health by shooting in that 
most absurd costume, the modern officer's fatigue jacket 
and a stand-up collar. These jackets, or even a civilian's 
usual costume, fit snugly, and the stiff collar prevents free 
circulation of blood, and the neckwear is drawn tightly 
across the spinal cord. When the rifle is discharged, the 
recoil gives the effect of a blow on the back of the neck, 
and this, with the usual clothing, has the effect of greatly 
fatiguing the shooter. A tight-fitting collar makes vision 
uncertain, and the effect of recoil often produces severe 
headache, sometimes of a serious nature. It is well in 

any style of rifle shoot- 
ing to wear no snug-fit- 
ting clothing especially 
about the neck ; but, in 
mid or long-range shoot- 
ing, if lying down either 
prone or on the back, dis- 
card the tight-fitting vest and coat, remove linen collar, 
and, if convenient, wear a loose-fitting woollen shirt and 
a blouse. 

In taking the prone position. Fig. 134, relax all muscles 
of the body below the arm, hugging the ground as close 
at possible, spread the legs and throw them to the left, 
thus greatly reducing the effect of the recoil ; brace the 




Back Position. 



MODERN AM ERICA iV RIFLES. 



169 



muscles of the rigiit and left arms, and inflate the lungs. 
Some vary the position of the left hand, grasping the rifle 
and placing the fingers around it ; others close the fingers 
of the left hand, resting the rifle between thumb and 




^^ 



Fig. 136. — Side Position. 



fingers. Keep the rifle plumb, as, by rolling it to right 
or left the shots will fly in the direction the rifle is rolled, 
even if the sight and windage be correct ; hold the breath 
while pressing the trigger. 

I have alluded to the excellence of this position for 
hunting ; for a long shot I prefer it to any, and always 




Fig. 137.— Back Position (IVIatch Rifle). 



take it when time and the ability to see the game permit. 
The certainty of this position for target shooting has been 
graphically illustrated by the brilliant scores made by mili- 
tary marksmen at the 500 and 600 yards' ranges ; clean 
scores of ten successive bullseyes at the former range being 
frequently made. 

Fig. 136 shows the back position, often adopted in 



170 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



target shooting with mihtary or special miHtary rifles. 
Excellent scores have been made with such arms shot in 

this manner. It is not 
a desirable position in 
which to shoot hunt- 
ing rifles, and not 
recommended, as the 
barrels of such rifles 
are generally too short. 
Fig. 136 is a position adopted by many of the military 
marksmen of the regular army and volunteers when shoot- 
ing at mid and long range, and is chiefly confined to such 
shooting. The strap is used to take the recoil, and the 




Fig. 138.— Long-Range Back Position. 




Fig. 139. — Position for Rest Sliooting. 



trigger is pressed by the thumb. There are some varia- 
tions to this position, often the shooter lies more on his 
back than shown in the illustration. A person trained to 
this position can fire many shots rapidly, and it is much 
used in skirmish firing. 

Figs. 137 and 138 show the most popular positions in long- 
range match rifle shooting. When this department of rifle 
shooting was popular in America, there were many posi- 
tions different from these, advocated and used by riflemen, 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



171 



but a majority finally decided for this special work at 800, 
900, and 1,000' yards, with a match rifle ; no position was 




Fig 



140. — A Portable Rest for Rifle Shooting, used by Mr. Wm. Lyman. 



as reliable as on the back, and Fig. 138 was adopted by a 
majority of the best long-range rifle shots. Mr. William 
Gerrish and Major Charles W. Hinman shot thus when 




Fig. 141. — A Portable Rest tor Rifle Shooting — Folded. 

they made their wonderful scores of 224 out of 225, or 44 
bullseyes and a centre, in forty-five shots ; fifteen shots 
each, at 800, 900, and 1,000. 



1/2 



MODERN AMERICAN- RIFLES. 



This concludes the positions in shooting without artifi- 
cial support. Rest shooting, which is quite popular in 
some sections, is generally done as shown in Fig. 139. 




Fig. 142. — A Portable Rest for Rifle Shooting — Open. 

The rifleman seats himself beside the rest, and supporting 
the rifle barrel on the rest and with stock to shoulder, aims 
and fires. Sometimes the stock is rested, which is per- 
mitted. 

Figs. 140, 141, and 142, show different styles of porta- 
ble rests for this mode of rifle shooting. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 1^^ 



CHAPTER XIV. 

AIMING, SIGHTING, HOLDING, AND FIRING. 

Most lexicographers define aiming, as pointing a missile 
toward a point or object ; and sighting, to look along the 
barrel of a gun or rifle in aiming. I think riflemen would 
define aiming, as pointing the rifle in the direction intended 
to shoot ; and sighting, placing or aligning the sights on a 
certain point or object. The latter term seems to express 
more than the former. 

When a rifleman is ready to shoot, he takes his position, 
aims, and sights. If he is equipped with a plain, open- 
sighted rifle, with a fixed front and rear sight, he aligns 
the front with the rear sight ; if the latter has a notch in 
it, the tip of the front sight is seen through the notch ; if 
the rear sight is a bar, the tip of the front sight is gener- 
ally seen over the centre of the bar ; the front sight is 
placed on the object desired to hit, and the trigger 
pressed. If the shot strikes below the object sighted on, 
more of the front sight should be seen through the notch 
or over the bar. Jf the shot strikes above the object aimed 
at, less of the front sight should be seen. The least bit 
of the front sight being seen is called a fine sight ; when 
the whole or most of it is seen when sighting, it is termed 
a coarse sight, and if half as much as the fine and coarse 
sight is seen it is called a medium sight. The illustration 
(Fig. 143) shows the fine, coarse, and medium sights. If 
a rifle is sighted so as to permit hitting an object, one inch 
in diameter, at 25 yards, by drawing a fine sight and hold- 



174 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

ing the rifle properly, at 50 or 75 yards, a coarser sight 
would likely have to be taken; and at 100 or 150 yards a 
still coarser sight would be necessary, until at a certain 
distance a sight would have to be taken above the object 
desired to hit. Under such circumstances one must have 
elevating sights on his rifle to permit sighting at the spot 






4^ 




Fig. 143. — Fine, Coarse, Fig. 144. —How to Sight Fig. 145. — How to Sight with Tar- 

and IViedium Sights. with Open Sights. get Sights. 

where he desires the bullet to strike, or sight at a point 
above, to allow for the drop of the bullet, and perhaps at one 
side to overcome the drift of the bullet ; the former caused 
by power of gravitation, the latter by force of the wind, 
and, to a certain extent, by the twist in the rifle. Target 
shooters, as a rule, insist upon devices for elevating the 
rear sight and lateral movement to the front or rear sight 
for drift, which permits sighting directly at the bullseye. 
Military authorities seem to consider it better to make 
the calculation by the rear sight. Many hunters elevate 
the rear sight to provide for the drop of the bullet, but 
seldom use a wind-gauge ; and not a few hunters make 
allowance for the drop of the bullet at long range, and the 
effect of the wind, by holding or sighting over and to one 
side. 

The National Rifle Association rules call for a bullseye, 
for target shooting, eight inches in diameter at the 200 
yards' range ; 22 inches at 500 and 600 yards, and 36 inches 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 1 75 

at 800, 900, and 1,000 3^ards. At distances less than 200 
yards the bullseye is proportionately reduced to the 
distance. 

It is the general opinion that a spot smaller than the 
eig'ht-inch bullseye cannot be sighted on with certainty by 
the average rifleman, and as a good rifle will generally 
shoot into a smaller group than eight inches at 200 yards, 
it shows that good rifles and ammunition will shoot finer 
than a person can see to sight with non-magnifying 
sights. 

Very few persons, except riflemen, have any idea of the 
size the regulation bullseye appears to be at the distances 
at which it is shot at. Fig. 144 shows the size of third- 
class target, which has an eight-inch bullseye, as it ap- 
pears when aiming with an open-sighted hunting rifle; it 
also shows the size of the rear notched sight and the front 
open sight and the bullseye. If the rifle could be held 
still, so as to secure such a sight as shown in Fig. 144, pro- 
viding the arm was properly made, charged, sighted, and 
shot under favorable weather conditions, it should place 
most of its shots well inside the bullseye. 

Fig. 145 shows the bullseye as it appears when a sight is 
taken on the eight-inch bullseye at 200 yards, with a 
match rifle fitted with a front wind-gauge and aperture 
sight and a rear Vernier sight with a peep cup. The large 
black circle represents the eye cup on the rear Vernier 
peep sight, the hole is about g^^ of an inch in diameter; 
but, when sighting, it is brought near the eye, and it takes 
in the whole target, as well as fully twenty feet over, under, 
and each side of the target. The hood which covers the 
front sight is shown the size it appears to be, as is the 
aperture sight and the bullseye of the target, when a nearly 
perfect sight is secured. 

The illustrations in Figs. 144 and 145 were sketched by 
an artist at Walnut Hill, and in order that it might not be 
the result of a single individual's impression, several rifle- 



176 MODEkiV AMERICAN RIFLES. 

men gave, on paper, the size of the bullseye, sights and 
other points shown, and, when compared, agreed with 
what is shown in these ilkistrations. 

I have alluded several times in this work to the impossi- 
bility of any living person holding a rifle perfectly still, 
especially when shooting off-hand. The action of the 
heart and circulation of blood make this impossible. At 
a short range, with a very large target, the tremor of the 
sights is less apparent, but at 200 yards no person can 
hold a rifle still enough off-hand to keep the front sight on 
the bullseye as shown in Fig. 144, except for the briefest 





Figs. 146 and 147.— Illustrating thie tremor while sighting. 

time. Long practice enables some individuals to become 
skilful in holding, and some are naturally of less rapid pul- 
sation than others, and consequently steadier. A person 
possessed of an excitable temperament, or who is full- 
blooded, is less likely to make a good rifle shot than one 
of a phlegmatic temperament. Anything that stimulates, 
increases, or causes irregular pulsation, is detrimental to 
good rifle shooting. Violent exercise is also detrimental. 
A rifleman shooting at the 200-yard target, off-hand, 
takes his place at the firing point, aims, and tries to 
sight on the bullseye. The front sight of his rifle takes 
the most erratic course, sometimes travelling off the tar- 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



177 



get. By inflating the lungs and ceasing to breathe for a 
moment the rifle^can be held much steadier. The best of 
shots experience the movements of the front sight as 
illustrated. Often while shooting there comes to a rifle- 
man a spell when he can hold the rifle quite satisfactorily, 
and good shots are generally made ; but, even when hold- 
ing well, the front sight takes a motion, such as shown in 
Figs. 146-149. 

How to sight depends upon the kind of sights used. 
With plain open front and rear sights it is a question 




Figs. 148 and 149. —Showing tremor when holding still. 

whether you are to draw a coarse, fine, or medium sight. 
I have stated the effect of seeing little or much of the 
front sight through the notch or over the bar of the rear 
sight ; but that referred to regulating the elevation by that 
means, and, as a rule, is followed when time does not per- 
mit raising the rear sight. Some riflemen prefer, if possi- 
ble, to see the same amount of front sight, and regulate 
the elevation by raising or lowering the rear sight ; others 
drawing a very fine sight ; while still others use a coarse 
sight, regulating it by seeing as much as the depth of the V 
notch. 

The next question is, where to place the front sight.-' 
When target shooting, and using either a front open or 
a pin-head sight, most of the expert shots aim just under 



178 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



the bullseye, some just touching it ; others seeing a little 
white between the tip of the front sight and bottom edge 
of the bullseye. 

If the front sight is placed in the bullseye, as shown in 
Fig. 151, it is uncertain whether one is sighting one inch 
or six in the bullseye. Just here is the difference between 





Fig. 150. — Course of the sight when 
holding steadily. 



Fig. 151. — Touching the Bulls- 
eye too much. 



sighting at a bullseye and game. At the latter, one tries 
to place the sight where it is desired to have the bullet 
hit ; in target shooting, one generally sights below where 
he wishes the bullet to strike. In sighting a hunting 
rifle remember this, and if aiming at a large bullseye, 
sighting at six o'clock, or at bottom edge of bullseye, the 
bullets should strike at the point sighted at and not in the 
middle of the bullseye. 

In sighting with an aperture sight, the bullseye should 
be held as near the centre of the aperture as possible, and 
have the aperture sufficiently large to see a white circle 
distinctly around the bullseye. Most beginners at target 
shooting use much too small apertures. A short barrel 
target rifle should be equipped with a smaller aperture 
sight than one with a long one. 

In sighting with a rear peep or a Lyman rear sight and 
a front open sight, never try to draw the point of the 
front sight to the bottom of the rear peep hole; let the 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 1 79 

eye find the centre of the rear peep sight, and place 
the front sight tmder the bullseye if target shooting, or 
on the game if hunting ; that is, if you believe the eleva- 
tion is right. 

The question of whether to use one eye or both in 
sighting is one upon which much has been written. When 
one shoots well with both eyes, he naturally claims it is 
the correct way to shoot ; those accustomed to closing 
one eye, find it difficult to shoot with both eyes open, and 
are sceptical as to its advantages. Judging from my own 
experience, it makes but little difference, and one can 
shoot well with one or both eyes open. A person uses 
but one eye in sighting a rifle, even if he has both open ; 
the eye he uses being the master eye. With a shotgun, I 
believe shooting with both eyes open advantageous ; but 
with a rifle, although I generally keep both eyes open, my 
vision is concentrated in one eye. In snap shooting with 
a rifle, when the arm is used as a shotgun and the aim 
largely a calculation, the advantage of double vision seems 
to me to be an aid. In sighting at an object, if the hold 
is unsteady and a long sight is taken, the vision becomes 
uncertain and the sights blur, caused by the attempt to 
focus on two or more objects at different distances at one 
time. If such is the case, and time permits, close the eye 
used in sighting, for a moment, and take another sight. 

Much has been written against open sights, and many 
have discarded them on account of the blurring when 
sighting. This trouble can be largely overcome if the 
rifleman can train himself to prevent the eye focusing 
on the rear sight. If one attempts to see the rear and 
front sight, as well as the object sighted, there arises an 
uncertainty of vision which is quite confusing ; but it is 
possible to draw the front sight into the notch of the 
rear sight, and let the eye focus on the front sight and 
object aimed at, ignoring the rear sight. In my opinion, 
the chief merits of the Lyman rear and other peep sights, 



l8o MODERN' AMERICAN RIFLES. 

are the ability of the rifleman to look through the holes 
without focusing the eye on them. This is also shown 
in the aperture front sight of a target rifle ; nearly all the 
expert rest and off-hand shots at Walnut Hill use such a 
front sight. 

With a correct sight it seems an easy matter to secure 
a good shot by pressing the trigger, if rifle and ammuni- 
tion are right. To excel in rifle shooting one must have 
the faculty of pressing the trigger without greatly dis- 
turbing the aim, and to do so requires an immense amount 
of practice. Go to any rifle range and one will be likely 
to hear this conversation : — 

" How are you doing .'' " 

" Miserably. I can hold well enough, but can't 
'pull of.' " 

Although expert riflemen know that to pull the trigger 
of a rifle will cause bad shooting, the expression, though 
incorrect, is almost universally used. 

There are many persons so well trained in sighting, 
that they can hold the 200-yards' bullseye within the 
aperture sight at that distance for several seconds, but 
when attempting to press the trigger there comes an 
unsteadiness which is quite perplexing. Many believe if 
they were permitted to use a set trigger this difficulty 
would be overcome, but my own opinion is decidedly 
against this. The lighter pull is, doubtless, an aid to some, 
but it never overcomes the uncertainty of controlling the 
sight, which comes when the slightest movement is made 
with the trigger finger, which seems to unlock the con- 
fined nerves. It is natural for persons to brace them- 
selves to receive a recoil, to flinch to a greater or less 
extent, to give a sudden pull of the trigger, and I venture 
to record here my opinion that these three faults con- 
tribute more to cause poor rifle shooting than an)- other. 
The best living rifle shots commit these errors, and when 
it is known that they occur when pressing the trigger, 



MODERN AMERICAN RIELES. l8l 

it will be seen that this seemingly simple operation is far 
more important<than those who have written on the rifle 
seem to have recognized. A rifleman who is unsteady, 
but has the knack of pressing the trigger correctly, will 
outshoot the man who can hold the bullseye in the aper- 
ture of a front rifle sight, but flinches or suddenly pulls 
the trigger. I have sometimes thought it was impossible 
for any one to acquire perpetual command over the trigger 
finger. 

The best known marksmen, when shooting at an eight- 
inch bullseye, at 200 yards' distance, at times find them- 
selves unsteady ; the sights float about in a most annoying 
and uncontrollable manner, as shown in the illustrations. 
After vainly endeavoring to place the sight on or under 
the bullseye, the vision of the eye seems fading, and a 
mental calculation is made, that to press the trigger 
quickly so the rifle will be discharged the instant the sight 
touches the proper place would secure a bullseye ; some- 
times this is done successfully, and some riflemen adopt 
this style of pressing the trigger^ but often the attempt 
proves a failure, and I do not think it is the correct 
way. Again, a rifleman secures as good sight as he seems 
likely to secure ; he applies a steady pressure to the 
trigger, and just as the last ounce of pressure is being 
applied the sight floats away, and in hopes to discharge 
the rifle before the good sight is lost, a quicker pressure 
is applied ; perhaps the attempt is successful, or the 
sight is recovered in time, and the shot is a good one. 
In my own experience I always feel, when a good snap 
shot is made, that it is a most unfortunate occurrence, 
for it has a tendency to prompt me to try it again, which 
generally results in a very poor shot. A rifleman may 
make a fine shot by a quick pull, but, as a rule, he never 
keeps all his shots in so small a group as the one who 
gives a slow, steady pressure to the trigger. 

If one shoots at a large object at short range it is pos- 



1 82 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

sible to do effective shooting with but little care in press- 
ing the trigger, but at regulation ranges on the customary 
size targets, extreme care must be exercised in this im- 
portant part of rifle firing. 

Quick shooting does not necessarily mean carelessness 
in pressing the trigger, although it is more difficult to do 
correctly in firing rapidly. While aware that it is far 
easier to write of the proper manner to press a trigger 
than to actually do it, I think a majority of good rifle 
shots will admit that the best way to secure good results 
at target or game shooting is to endeavor to avoid flinch- 
ing. Practice holding a rifle, and, while holding it as still 
as possible, press the trigger steadily until the rifle is dis- 
charged, trying as much as possible to avoid any irregular 
pressure, and keeping continually in mind to maintain the 
same steady pressure until the rifle is discharged. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. I §3 



CHAPTER XV. 

TRAJECTORIES OF RIFLE BULLETS. 

The trajectory of a rifle bullet is the curve which it 
describes in its course. Sportsmen generally refer to the 
trajectories of rifles, which is quite confusing and mis- 
leading, as one rifle may shoot several styles of bullets, 
and each have a different trajectory, and one style of 
bullet shot with different kinds of powder will describe 
various curves — therefore allusion to the trajectory of a 
rifle is improper, and could only be used with propriety 
where a certain standard cartridge was invariably used. 

In previous chapters I have described the various styles 
of rear elevating sights, and stated that a person must 
either draw a coarse sight, or aim above the objects de- 
sired to hit with a bullet when at a certain distance, or 
provide for the drop of a bullet by elevating the rear sight. 

As soon as a bullet leaves the muzzle of a rifle it is 
attracted toward the earth by the power of gravitation, 
and will, theoretically, strike the ground, if the axis of 
the bore and the surface of the ground are parallel, the 
same instant a bullet of same weight would if dropped 
from the hand to the earth from the same height as the 
bore. The power of gravitation cannot be overcome, but 
the ingenuity of man has devised plans whereby the 
velocity of a bullet is so increased within a certain dis- 
tance that its curve is lessened for that part of its flight. 

I have previously alluded to the low trajectory of a 
bullet being chiefly esteemed by hunters, and not so essen- 



1 84 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

tial to target shooters. With the former it lessens the 
liability to over or undershoot the game, and to flatten 
trajectory one must either lighten the bullet or increase 
the powder charge, but as the latter increases recoil the 
former method is resorted to even though it is at a sacri- 
fice of accuracy. 

There are many things about rifles and rifle shooting 
that are perplexing ; what is demonstrated one day seems 
refuted another ; but years of study of this fascinating 
weapon make it evident that certain principles are correct, 
and there is a general acceptance of them. 

It is known that a rifle with a certain twist will shoot a 
bullet of proper composition, if of correct size and weight, 
with accuracy up to a great distance. If one seeks accu- 
racy alone, he can obtain from American rifles all a reason- 
able person can expect. But, if the rifle showing this 
extreme accuracy was used for hunting, one would perhaps 
make frequent misses, and, if painstaking and careful, 
would seek the cause. Sooner or later it would probably 
be discovered that the misses were from shooting over or 
under the game ; then one would realize that besides hold- 
ing and sighting properly, it was necessary to be able to 
judge distances correctly and set the sights to suit several 
ranges. Most men accustomed to rifle shooting will find 
little trouble in hitting frequentl}^ a spot 12 inches in 
diameter at 150 yards when the sights of a rifle are 
arranged for that distance ; but place an accurate shooting 
rifle in the hands of an expert target shot, and unless the 
correct elevation was known, if the spot constituted the 
whole of the target, it might be missed many times. This 
was especially common with American rifles made a few 
years ago, which were shot with light charges of powder 
and heavy bullets. Shooting at game on the plains of the 
West made this fault conspicuous in many American 
hunting rifles. 

Long ago it was discovered that a high trajectory was 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 1 85 

undesirable in hunting or military rifles, but experiments 
clearly showed that as the projectile was lightened the 
accuracy, penetration, and range were sacrificed. With 
hunting rifles there has been such a desire to flatten the 
trajectory, that in many instances the other desirable 
features have been lost sight of entirely. 

The ancient adage — a little learning is a dangerous 
thing — is well exemplified in the craze for hunting rifles 
-of extremely flat trajectory, and I have found myself 
many times propounding the query : What does one gain 
by a very fiat trajectory if accuracy and penetration are 
sacrificed } I think the loss is often greater than the gain. 

I think one of the most unfortunate and misleading 
tests that ever occurred in this country was the one con- 
ducted a few years ago, which gave simply the trajectories 
of bullets from hunting rifles, but not the accuracy. The 
only value in those experiments was because factory car- 
tridges were used in many of the rifles, and this being the 
case one could make tests for accuracy, and their own 
deductions. 

It has been shown, however, that the trajectory of one 
make of cartridges is different from another, that wind 
has its effect on the bullet's curve, and weight and man- 
ner of manipulation of the rifle are also believed to have 
their effects on the curve of a bullet. 

Certain foreign express rifles were shot in this test, and 
as trajectory alone was exhibited as the result, without 
considering accuracy, it stimulated a craze which was 
likely, in the writer's mind, to do far more harm than 
good. 

The desiderata in hunting rifles is to secure the flattest 
trajectory and maintain accuracy and a proper amount of 
penetration, as well as avoiding excessive recoil. I think 
I value a low curve in a bullet shot from a hunting rifle 
as much as any one, but fail to see merit in a rifle with an 
extremely flat trajectory which takes a whole third-class 



1 86 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

Creedmoor target to catch a series of shots fired at a 
distance of 200 yards. 

There are two classes of individuals I have often been 
bored by, while listening to their remarks. The first is 
the individual who shows a ten-shot target with all the 
shots inside of the ten circle of the Standard American 
target, shot at 200 yards, and in his enthusiasm dilates on 
the exceptional merits of the arm for hunting ; the target 
being shot at rest with a lo-pound rifle, .38-calibre, charge 
55 grains of powder and a 330-grain bullet. 

The individual of the second class is he who tells of his 
6-pound rifle which has a trajectory of 7 inches at 100 
yards when shot at 200 yards. I am often unfeeling 
enough to wish the former could be placed in the hunting 
field, and the latter be compelled to face the butts on the 
rifle range. 

Some years' experience with American hunting rifles, 
and knowing the advantages of low trajectory combined 
with accuracy, penetration, and moderate recoil, have forced 
me to the conviction that the best hunting rifle for all- 
round work in America is one without any of the above 
points predominating ; but it should be stated, also, that 
for special work one may secure better results by per- 
mitting an excess of any one feature when others are not 
essential. 

To secure the trajectory of a rifle at 200 yards, one 
should choose for the work as level a piece of ground as 
possible. It would be better to select a covered range, 
but as that is not generally practicable, a place sheltered 
from the wind as much as possible is preferable, as wind 
affects the curve of a bullet. A series of screens, eight in 
number, should be erected 25 yards apart, the first at that 
distance from the firing point. These screens should be 
sufficiently large to catch the bullets ; and to construct 
them frames of pine wood are used, which are covered 
with tissue paper. The paper is tacked to the frames and 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 1 8/ 

lightly sprinkled with water spray, so when dried it is 
tightly drawn, with no wrinkles. The screens must be 
firmly attached to posts driven in the ground at the 
several distances, the attachment being by nailing or 
otherwise. 

After arranging the screens, a peg should be driven into 
the ground by the side of each screen. It is necessary to 
have these pegs the same height, and a careful adjust- 
ment is necessary by a competent surveyor with an engi- 
neer's level. It has been shown that these pegs change 
their position, being affected by the elements; and to se- 
cure the trajectory with accuracy, a frequent testing of the 
pegs is essential. An excellent aid in regulating the pegs, 
is to place in the top of each, a screw. As a variation of 
the pegs is detected, caused by a slight upheaving or dis- 
turbance of the earth, by the turning of the screws up or 
down, the irregularities can be adjusted to a nicety without 
disturbing the pegs. 

With the screens arranged and pegs adjusted, the next 
operation would be sighting the rifles in order to shoot 
the bullet through the screens. This is done by shooting 
at the 200-yard target ; and unless the rifles shoot accu- 
rately enough to keep the shots inside the six circle of the 
Standard American Target, it would require very large 
screens to catch the bullets. 

On the first screen, which is at 25 yards from the 
firing point, is a spot placed where the straight line from 
the muzzle of the rifle to the centre of the 200-yard tar- 
get intersects this screen, at which to aim ; the rifleman 
lies on the ground, in the prone posture, the end of his 
rifle supported, and the muzzle over the first peg. An 
assistant stands by the side of the shooter to advise him 
when the muzzle of the rifle is over the first peg ; and the 
vertical distance from this peg to the centre of the bore 
of the rifle is measured and recorded. The shot is then 
fired, and if the bullet passes through all the screens, the 



1 88 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

distances from the top of the screw in each peg to the 
centre of the bullet-hole in the different screens are meas- 
ured ; the measurements should be taken by means of a 
straight rule with an arrangement for keeping it in a ver- 
tical direction by means of two spirit-levels at right 
angles to each other. An arm, adjustable as to length, 
slides up and down the rule which is kept at right angles 
to it. The bottom of the rule is placed on the top of the 
screw in the peg, and the end of the arm on the shot-hole, 
the rule being kept perpendicular by means of the levels. 
These figures give the height of the curve of the bullet 
above the fixed plane at the several distances. From each 
measurement is deducted the distance from the top of the 
screw to the centre of tlie bore of the rifle. 

This would give the correct trajectory at the several 
points, if the bullet struck the 200-yard screen at the 
same distance above the peg as was the muzzle of the 
rifle ; but if not, a correction must be made, propor- 
tional to the distance of the point from the muzzle of the 
rifle. 

At different times during the past few years trajectories 
have been taken at Walnut Hill, the work being conducted 
by Major Charles W. Hinman, aided by competent engi- 
neers. Major Hinman is well known as one of the most 
reliable and expert rifle shots in America, and is consid- 
ered as high authority in all matters pertaining to the 
rifle ; and his experiments were closely watched by the 
writer. 

These figures are believed to be accurate, but it should 
be remembered that a different quality of powder from 
that used would have its effect on the curve of the bullet 
in its flight. The wind might also change the trajectory 
if the same charges were used. 

There are other methods of securing the trajectories of 
rifle bullets, differing chiefly from the above in details 
regarding measurement ; but the one described is that fol- 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



189 



lowed at Walnut Hill, by Major Hinman, to whom credit 
is due for all tbe figures herein presented : — 





■der, 
ht in 
ins. 


let, 
ht in 
ins. 


thof 
el in 
hes. 




HEIGHT 


OF TRAJECTORY IN 


INCHES AT 




<i3 . 
:9 




i« 


■p 


V 


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"2 


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weig 

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rt 




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5 








rt 




^ 


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10 


8 


10 



u-l 


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8 



















t-i 


" 


^ 


9.4 


M 


.22 


5 


30 


28 


8.3 


14-5 


18.7 


20.4 


19.8 


16.2 







22 


10 


45 


26 





1-1> 


12.8 


16.2 


17.6 


16.6 


13-7 


8.1 







22 


15 


^5 


30 





5-3 


9.4 


12.2 


13-5 


I3-I 


10.8 


6.5 







25 


20 


67 


28 





3-6 


6.4 


8-3 


9.4 


9.2 


7.6 


4-7 







25 


20 


11 


26 





5-4 


9.0 


n.6 


12.8 


12.3 


10.2 


6.0 





* 


25 


32 


76 


30 





3-4 


6.0 


1-1 


8.4 


8.1 


6.7 


4.1 





* 


25 


32 


76 


30 





2.8 


5-S 


6.4 


7.0 


6.8 


5-6 


3-3 





« 


25 


32 


67 


30 





2.7 


4.8 


6.2 


6.9 


6.8 


5-6 


3-4 







32 


13 


90 


24 





7-5 


13-5 


17-5 


19.2 


18.4 


15.0 


8.9 





t 


32 


20 


115 


24 





5-^ 


10.3 


13.2 


14.4 


13.8 


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t 


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30 


125 


26 





4.6 


8.2 


10.5 


II-5 


II.O 


9.0 


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32 


35 


147 


28 





4.1 


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9-3 


10.2 


9.8 


8.0 


4-7 







32 


35 


165 


28 





4-5 


8.0 


10.2 


II. 2 


10.9 


8.8 


5-2 





t 


32 


40 


125 


30 





H 


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9.2 


8.9 


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t 


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26 





4.8 


8.4 


10.7 


11.6 


II. I 


9.0 


5-3 







32 


40 


165 


3? 





4.9 


8.6 


II.O 


11.9 


II. 5 


9.4 


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35 


60 


245 


28 





4-7 


8.1 


10.4 


"•3 


10.9 


8.8 


5-2 







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50 


255 


28 





6.1 


10.5 


13-4 


14-5 


13.6 


10.9 


6.4 







38 


50 


330 


28 





6.6 


11.4 


14-5 


15-5 


14.6 


11.7 


6.6 





\ 


38 


55 


255 


26 





5-8 


lO.I 


12.8 


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I3-I 


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§ 


38 


90 


250 


30 





3-2 


5-7 


7-2 


7-9 


7-5 


6.2 


yi 







40 


60 


26s 


28 





4-5 


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II. 2 


10.8 


8.8 


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60 


330 


28 





5-2 


9-3 


n.8 


12.7 


12.2 


9.8 


5-9 







40 


62 


210 


28 





4.4 


7.8 


10.3 


1T.4 


II. I 


9.2 


5-5 







40 


?5 


230 


28 





4.1 


7.2 


9-3 


lO.I 


9-7 


7.8 


4.6 







40 


82 


260 


30 





4.1 


7-4 


9.6 


10.5 


10.2 


8.4 


5-2 





* 


40 


83 


390 


35>^ 





4.6 


7-9 


lO.O 


10.8 


10.2 


8.2 


4.8 







40 


CO 


300 


26 





4-3 


7-5 


9-5 


10.3 


9-7 


7.8 


4.6 







40 


95 


265 


34 





2.9 


5-4 


7.2 


7.6 


7-4 


6.0 


Z-1 







40 


95 


380 


34 





3-5 


6-3 


8.0 


8.7 


8.3 


6.6 


4.1 





* 


40 


98 


445 


34 





4-5 


1-1 


§•7 


10.5 


9.9 


7-9 


4-7 







40 


no 


260 


30 





3-7 


6.5 


8.4 


9.1 


8.7 


7.1. 


4.2 







44 


40 


200 


24 





6.0 


10.8 


14.0 


15.4 


14.8 


12.1 


7.2 







44 


90 


520 


^^ 





4.0 


7.2 


9-3 


10.4 


9-7 


7-9 


4-7 







45 


60 


300 


28 





5-5 


§•5 


12.0 


13.0 


12.4 


lO.O 


5-9 







45 


■70 


405 


32.6 





5-1 


8.9 


II. 2 


12.0 


1 1.3 


9.1 


5-4 







45 


75 


350 


28 





4-7 


8-3 


10.5 


11.4 


10.8 


8.8 


5-S 







45 


85 


290 


28 





4-3 


7-5 


9-5 


10.4 


9.9 


8.0 


4.8 







45 


90 


300 


30 





4-5 


7-9 


1 0.0 


II.O 


10.6 


8.7 


5-S 







45 


109 


550 


36 





4.6 


7-9 


1 0.0 


10.8 


10.2 


8.2 


4.8 







45 


125 


300 


30 





4.0 


7.0 


8.9 


9.8 


9.4 


1-1 


4-5 







50 


no 


300 


30 











II-5 













50 


115 


300 


26 





3-9 


7-1 


9.4 


10.6 


10.4 


8.7 


5-3 






* Specially prepared ammunition. 
X Actual powder cliarge 48 grains. 



t Actual 30 calibre. 
§ Special bullet. 



190 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



ACCURACY. 



Class A. — Will shoot nearly all of its shots on or into 
a 6-indi circle at 200 yards: .32-40-125 — .32-40-150 — 
.32-40-165 — .38-55-255 — .40-83-390. 

Class B. — Will shoot nearly all of its shots on or into 
an 8-inch circle at 200 yards : .22-10-45 — .22-15-45 — . 25- 
20-77 — .25-32-67 — .25-32-76 — .32-20-1*15 — .32-30-125 — 
.40-62-210 — .40-82-260 — .44-40-200 — .45-60-300 —.45-75- 
350 — .45-70-405 — .45-90-300— .40-90-300 — .45-109-550. 

Class C. — • Will shoot nearly all of its shots on or into 
a 12-inch circle at 200 yards: .38-90-250 — .40-75-230 — 
.40-110-260^.45-85-290 — .45-125-300. 

Class D. — Will shoot nearly all of its shots on or into 
a 20-inch circle at 200 yards : .50-1 10-300 — .50-1 15-300. 

The figures presented in this article are the results of the 
experiments conducted intermittingly, covering a period 
of several years. During that time I shot, or saw shot, 
all of the rifles mentioned, and elaborate notes were made. 
I became fully convinced that the trajectories of rifles are 
uncertain, like the accuracy. Most riflemen who have 
given careful thought and study to this subject, believe 
that various factory cartridges have different trajectories ; 
wind has quite an effect on the curve of a bullet — a rear 
wind decreasing, and a front wind increasing the trajec- 
tory. The manner of holding a rifle also has its effect ; 
also the shape and temper of the bullet, strength of pow- 
der, and even the form of the shell. If a rifle is shot 
with freshly and accurately reloaded ammunition, there is 
greater accuracy and more uniform trajectory. 

I have made careful observations as to the accuracy of 
the cartridges, and rifles using them, and have formed 
an opinion as to the amount of accuracy one might expect 
from them. I am well aware that the results will vary, 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. I9I 

and that some better shooting may be obtained than cred- 
ited to these arms, — and often worse; — also, that one 
shooting continuously any one of the rifles mentioned, 
would secure, perhaps, better average results. My memo- 
randa indicate that in the experiments I witnessed, it was 
within the probabilities to secure about the results credited 
to the different rifles, if the arms were properly made, shot 
by an expert rifleman, and with good ammunition. 

Among the American rifles which possess accuracy, 
moderate trajectory, penetration, and no excessive recoil, 
are those taking the following cartridges : — 

.25-20-77 — .32-40-165 — .38-56-255 — .40-65-260 — .40- 
82-260— .45-75-350 — .45-90-300. 

These rifles take factory cartridges, and are excellent for 
hunting in America. Often improvements are maxle over 
these cartridges by riflemen skilful in making ammunition 
and manipulating the rifle. 



192 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

WHAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO DO WITH A RIFLE. 

It is generally known that a rifle when properly loaded 
is capable of projecting a bullet to a certain distance with 
accuracy. The distance and the amount of accuracy 
has been a theme for discussion ever since the rifle was 
invented, and doubtless will continue to be as long as it is 
used. Rifles have always been used in competition, suc- 
cessful marksmen have ever received homage, and in 
recounting exploits hyperbolizing has developed. The 
rifle has always played an important part in stories of war- 
fare, hunting, or romantic tales, and hence the hero of 
many a story has been made to perform feats of marks- 
manship quite beyond the possibilities of rifle or man. 

The sportsmen's papers give evidence of the lack of 
knowledge of the possibilities of the rifle even among 
those who shoot the arm, and I have often blushed for 
the editors who attempted to elucidate those who sought 
for information on this subject. 

Does any one know what it is possible to do with a 
rifle .? Beyond a certain limit I claim they do not. 

It is many years since the rifle was invented, and from 
its incipiency men 'have striven to excel and perform feats 
which were considered impossible. By the ingenuity of 
man, rifles have been improved so as to shoot a greater 
distance and with increased accuracy ; but there has 
always been a blessed uncertainty which has kept alive an 
interest in the arm, which would have been lost if perfec- 
tion had been arrived at. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 1 93 

It is usual to speak of the possibilities of the rifle as 
though a perfect arm was all that was necessary to secure 
perfection in rifle shooting. I have studied the rifle for 
more than a quarter of a century, and many of my inti- 
mates more than double that time, and I believe it is 
generally admitted by the best living experts that from the 
very commencement in making a rifle there is an un- 
certainty, and if, perchance, a perfect rifle is made, it is 
not certain that it can be duplicated. 

But if the rifle be perfect, the ammunition may not be 
correct, and if right at one time it may not be just 
right at another ; for many believe that a certain 
degree of hardness in a bullet may be better for a cold 
temperature, and another composition suitable for dif- 
ferent weather. Then comes the shooter with his vary- 
ing physical condition, his changeable vision and uncertain 
nerve, and difference in manipulation of the rifle. All 
these are important factors in rifle shooting, and if they 
could be controlled, the ever varying weather conditions, 
the • unperceived air currents, the changeable light, the 
difference in the atmosphere, would prove insurmountable 
barriers. By years of careful observation the rifleman 
learns the effect of certain conditions, and trains himself 
in such a way that by his skill he is able to guard against 
many obstacles which prevent others from making fine 
scores. 

It is supposed to be within the reach of good mechanical 
skill to make rifles accurate enough to use in hunting or 
warfare ; but experts to-day believe that no one can pro- 
duce a rifle, with certainty, which is capable of shooting 
continuously into the 12, 1 1, or the 10 circle on the Stand- 
ard American rest target at 200 yards. As before stated 
there is an uncertainty about the metal of which the 
barrel is composed, and no one can tell at the outset 
whether a superior or inferior barrel can be made from a 
bar of steel ; the various processes are all uncertain and 



194 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



the shooting qualities of a rifle are determined by experts 
at the factory or on the range, by shooting. There are 
certain features which, if found in a rifle, indicate its 
probable good shooting qualities, but for various unknown 
reasons some rifles possess superior shooting qualities to 
others. 

The best rifle maker may construct two rifles which may 
be as near alike as possible to make them, but there is no 
certainty that one will shoot as well as the other ; and for 
some inexplicable reason one will shoot a bullet of a cer- 
tain alloy in a satisfactory manner while the other will 
not, but do good work with a bullet, harder or softer. 

Riflemen usually refer to the good or bad shooting 
qualities of a rifle as though the arm was the only factor. 
This illustrates the conceit of man, for, without a doubt, 
the rifle being a mechanical production, is nearer perfect 
and less variable than ammunition and man; but all the 
factors which help to make perfection in rifle shooting are 
uncertain and variable, and when one error has been dis- 
covered and corrected by a rifleman, another develops, 
and therefore the devotee who essays to secure perfection 
in this art is ever baffled, and when results indicate that 
perfection is about to be realized, the uncertainty before 
alluded to in rifle, ammunition, shooter, and weather pre- 
vents it, and therein largely makes the attraction in fine 
rifle shooting. 

With the exception of the .22- and .25-calibres, all rifles 
shooting modern rifle ammunition are considered suitable 
to shoot at a distance of 200 yards, and even the .22 and 
.25 are used at this range. Nearly all rifles shot at the 
target out-of-doors are shot at ranges from 200 yards 
upward, and a rifle which will not shoot well at 200 yards 
is of very little use to American riflemen for target shoot- 
ing, hunting, or warfare. The size of the object aimed 
at when shooting at 200 yards is generally a bullseye eight 
inches in diameter. This a majority of riflemen with 



\ 



MODERN AMERICAN NTFLES. 1 95 

normal vision can see. The ratio of increase is at the 
same proportipn at 500 and 800 yards, and the decrease 
is upon the same ratio at distances below 200 yards. 

It is doubtful if the average rifleman could see an object 
smaller than eight inches distinctly enough to sight on, 
with non-magnifying sights, at a distance of 200 yards, 
and, as it is known that a modern American rifle will, if 
properly made, correctly charged, and handled by an 
expert, place a majority of shots in an eight inch bulls- 
eye at 200 yards, it is safe to say that a rifle should shoot 
well enough to hit nearly every time anything that can be 
seen distinctly enough to sight on without magnifying 
sights up to a distance of 200 yards. The hunter is 
generally satisfied with such a rifle, and the military arm 
possessing accuracy sufficient to hit the proportionately 
increased bullseye at the longer range, would, doubtless, be 
considered as containing sufficient accuracy. 

The target shooter demands a more accurate rifle; it is 
with such arms, and by those shooting them that the pos- 
sibilities of the rifle are better illustrated, for they are fitted 
with fine sights and every known device to aid in securing 
extreme accuracy. But let us sacrifice everything which 
is considered practical and military ; fit the rifle with such 
appliances as will aid in securing the best results, with the 
one object of learning what it is possible to do with a 
rifle. 

I have mentioned 200 yards as the distance at which 
rifles are generally shot at a target. No expert rifleman 
would view with any special interest a fine target made 
with any rifle over .25-calibre, at a distance under 200 
yards, or containing less than ten shots. It is known that 
there are some rifles that shoot well at 150 yards that 
utterly fail to do fine work at 200 yards, and a person who 
offered a target of five shots at 200 yards as evidence of 
the fine shooting qualities of a rifle would be regarded as 
a novice by the expert, and the target as only a hint of 



196 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

what possibly might be done. Turning to an old scrap- 
book, I can find many potent illustrations of the absurdity 
of five shots being taken as evidence of the reliable shoot- 
ing qualities of a rifle. I find record of a score counting 
96 on the Standard American rest target, shot with a .25- 
calibre central-fire rifle, and in the score were four shots 
counting 11 and one counting 12, and these were consecu- 
tive shots. I have record of 9, 10, 12, 9, 11 in five con- 
secutive shots with an 18-inch Stevens' pocket rifle, 
.25-calibre, rim-fire ; another series of five consecutive 
shots with a .22-calibre Stevens' pocket rifle, counting 
10, 10, 9, 10, II. No well-informed rifleman would accept 
these groups of shots as evidence that such rifles could be 
relied on for such work. 

Five consecutive shots, counting 12 each, have been 
made on the Standard American rest target at 200 yards, 
and the diameter of that circle is i ^^^^ inches. There are 
plenty of persons who would wager that the same rifleman 
and ammunition could not repeat the performance at a 
stated time, or place ten shots inside of the 10 circle 
(3t%% inches in diameter), or fifty shots inside the 9 circle 
(5tVo inches in diameter), or one hundred shots inside the 
8-inch bullseye. The person who would make such a 
wager would probably know that rifle, shooter, ammunition, 
and weather conditions were likely to vary, and none of 
them could be positively depended upon, even with the 
heaviest rifle, telescopic sights, and a machine rest. 

I have witnessed a great deal of rifle shooting under 
various conditions. For over twenty years I have visited 
factories where rifles have been manufactured. I have 
witnessed the shooting of men who were selected for their 
expertness to test rifles. I have been present on rifle 
ranges when many of the best-known records have been 
made, have shot with the best-known amateurs and pro- 
fessionals, and for several years have received many of the 
best targets made in the rifle-shooting countries of the 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 1 97 

world ; but, taking the Standard American rest target, by 
way of illustration, I never yet have seen, consecutively, 
fifteen shots placed in the 12 circle, twenty shots in the 
II, forty in the 10, sixty in the 9, or one hundred in the 
8-inch bullseye. I believe there are but few^ if any, rifles 
which, combined with factory ammunition and the uncer- 
tainty of the shooter and weather conditions, that will shoot 
fifty consecutive shots into an 8-inch bullseye at 200 yards, 
shooting with rest and telescope, or any style of sights. 

It is now generally recognized that no group shot at 
less than 200 yards represents what the rifle will do at 
200 yards. No series of less than ten shots is accepted 
as evidence of what can be done with that number of 
shots. 

I have had many of the best-known targets in my pos- 
session, and noted the effect on persons unacquainted 
with rifle shooting. A bullseye 36 inches in diameter, 
containing twenty shots at t,ooo yards, elicits little or 
no enthusiasm from them, while one of ten shots, at 75 
feet, with all the shots broken into one hole, creates 
extravagant praise. A clean ten-shot score of bullseyes 
shot off-hand at 200 yards, is considered tame beside ten 
shots, which could be covered by a dollar coin, shot at 
rest at 50 yards. 

I have asked many riflemen for an explanation of the 
reason for the exaggerated stories of the work done with 
a rifle, and a majority believe it is the general inclination 
to magnify the distance at which the targets are shot, for 
the sake of telling a startling story. 

Up to the time of writing, there have been nearly a 
hundred ten-shot clean scores of bullseyes made in off-hand 
shooting at 200 yards, but no one has been able to place 
ten shots on or within the 10 circle, and in rest shooting 
no one has been able to place ten shots on or within the 
12 circle on the Standard rest target in one score. It is 
considered brilliant shooting to place ten shots in the 1 1 



IqS modern AMERICAN RIFLES. 

circle at rest, and the same number in the lo circle is very 
fine work. As before stated, five shots in the 12 circle 
have no special value ; seven shots are more difficult and 
wonderful; ten shots never yet attained, and beyond that 




Fig 152— CoDV of actual score, counting H8 out of a possible 120. Shot at 200 yards' 
rest, by Mr F J Rabbeth at Worcester, Mass , March 6, 1890 Target, full size. 

the difficulties of the task are rapidly multiplied, and 
seem at the present time almost among the impossibili- 
ties. 

Beyond 200 yards, the shooting at the present time in 
America is chiefly with military rifles. Five shots at the 
regulation bullseye, at 500, 600, or 800 yards, are common ; 
seven bullseyes are not so common ; ten are seldom made, 
and any number beyond that is considered remarkable. 

Riflemen remember, as a rule, only the best results 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 1 99 

secured, and are prone to allude to them, consequently many 
who hear of these performances are inclined to measure the 
average work of rifles by occasional results. If a score 
consisted of a large number of shots, perfection, or making 




Fig. 153.— Copy of actual score, couniing 116 out of a possible 120. Shot by Mr. J. R. 
Munroe at Walnut Hill, Feb. 9, 1889. 

the possible, would probably never be attained. Ten 
shots have long been recognized as a good test of skill, 
and the results which have been attained on American 
rifle ranges, it is thought, represent all one can reasonably 
expect from rifle and man. 

Sportsmen are often shown marvellous targets, so fine 
they are almost incredible, but they are, perhaps, honestly 



200 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

made at the distance named, but how? I will try and ex- 
plain. Frequently a man will shoot for several years, and 
in the course of time, by discontinuing shooting at a cer- 
tain group at the first wild or unsatisfactory shot, and 
commencing another group ; or withdrawing or suppress- 
ing a score with a bad shot, and laying before the public 
the best scores, we have presented only the very best 
scores or groups of shots out of thousands fired during 
many trials. This is really no deception, for every expert 
is expected to put forth his best work. In fact the rifle- 
shooting fraternity do not care to see how bad work a 
person can do, and the pleasure is derived from inspecting 
the finest targets and witnessing the most skilful shooting. 
I have seen targets of ten shots which could be touched or 
covered with a silver dollar, which were shot at a distance 
of 200 yards, and later the same rifle, ammunition, and 
man, shooting at the same distance and place, would not 
be able to shoot into an 8-inch bullseye ; and mark you 
well, brother riflemen, I have seen this with breech and 
muzzle-loading rifles ; rifles weighing twenty pounds, fitted 
with telescopic sights and shot from machine rest, as well 
as the ten-pound breech-loading rifle fitted with the usual 
target sights. Later these same rifles would shoot with 
astonishing fineness but intermittingly, that is, unless the 
rifleman had concluded the rifle had shot out and disposed 
of it. I have seen targets shot by experts of the rifle fac- 
tories which would take a circle 10 or 12 inches in diameter 
to enclose the shots, and the next group be in a 3-inch 
circle ; the latter would perhaps be sent to a customer with 
the rifle, and the value of the arm based on the best target. 
Ten shots usually constitute a score, and the fine work 
done indicates the excellent shooting qualities of Ameri- 
can rifles, perfection of ammunition, and skill of the marks- 
men. Several times, this number of shots have been 
placed on or in the eleven circle {^-^i-^ inches in diameter) 
of the Standard American target when shooting from a 



MODE AW A MEN /CAN RIELES. 20I 

rest, but this is no evidence that a rifle is capable of shoot- 
ing continuously into so small a space. Most intelligent 
and well-informed riflemen know that ten shots is a fair 
test of marksmanship, but not an infallible one. It re- 
quires a good rifle, perfect ammunition, and a fine marks- 
man to record a superior score, and conditions of matches 
where most of the best shots of America contest, are 
such that the possible is just beyond the reach of the best- 
knoAvn skill. 

The development of skill in both off-hand and rest 
shooting is well illustrated by the evolution of the tar- 
get. A few years ago the coarse 8-inch bullseye with no 
divisions was considered fine enough to shoot at ; then it 
was divided, later trisected, and finally for rest shooting 
the smallest circle on the Standard American target was 
made finer by two additional circles. At the time of 
writing no one has secured the possible in ten shots on 
either the rest or off-hand Standard target, at two hundred 
yards, and if this should be accomplished it is no evidence 
that -any great number of shots could be placed in the 
inner circles of the rest and off-hand targets in the re- 
spective styles of shooting. 

The finest targets made represent the possibilities of 
the rifle for a certain number of shots and not for contin- 
uous work. No living person can tell with certainty how 
many shots can be placed in the same spot ; the shorter 
the distance the more certain can one be of placing a series 
of shots exactly together ; but as you increase the dis- 
tance the uncertainty becomes greater, and a rifle, although 
the noblest of all weapons, an instrument of precision and 
marvellous accuracy to a wonderful distance, and although 
accurate and reliable enough for all practical service, is 
variable in its work, affected, to a greater or less extent, by 
unknown and unforeseen causes, and to this uncertainty 
is added the variation of ammunition, changes in weather 
condition, and the uncertain condition of the shooter, 



202 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

THE MANIPULATION AND CARE OF RIFLES. 

To secure fine work from a rifle, a person besides hav- 
ing a perfectly made arm, correct ammunition, and even 
superior ability to hold the weapon as near still as it is 
possible, must manipulate the rifle properly to secure even 
fair shooting from it. 

I have endeavored in previous chapters to show that 
rifles are made for various purposes ; chiefly for hunting, 
defence, and as instruments for testing skill in target shoot- 
ing. It is to be regretted that a majority of people in this 
world will insist upon a rifle being an instrument for one 
and all purposes equally. Such people hear of a fine- 
sighted long-range rifle placing a series of shots in the 
regulation bullseye at i,ooo yards, and they infer that a 
.44-calibre Winchester, model 1873, should do the same; 
they even apply this work to a revolver. It is no easy 
ta-sk to convince a person unfamiliar with rifles that he is 
in error when he claims the .45-125-300 rifle has a greater 
range than the .45-70-405, and it is quite as arduous a task 
to convince the person of his error who believes a rifle 
with an accurate range of 1,000 yards is superior for hunt- 
ing to one having accuracy only within 250 or 300 yards. 
Rifles are for different purposes and each style of rifle 
must be manipulated differently. There are also various 
ideas of the best way to manipulate a rifle to secure the 
finest results ; some considering a certain operation abso- 
lutely necessary while others ignore it entirely. I will 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 203 

endeavor to give in this chapter, certain rules and ways of 
manipulating rifles which are employed by many rifle- 
men. 

It is generally thought desirable to test a rifle for 
accuracy and for the purpose of arranging the sights, by 
shooting it from a rest, soon after purchasing. If the 
rifle is a hunting arm it is desirable to shoot it at short 
range for the purpose of aligning the sights and arran- 
ging the elevation. I usually sight'tiiy hunting rifles so as 
to hit a spot I inch in diameter when shot at about 30 
yards ; this enables me to shoot at the head of a grouse 
at short range, for they are often shot at as short a range 
as 12 or 15 yards. In testing the rifle, if it throws the 
ball high at 30 yards it is necessary to lower the rear 
sight, or raise the front sight. Frequently rifle barrels are 
tapered so as to be of much less diameter at muzzle than 
at the breech, and when shot with ordinary sights it will 
be found that the rifle shoots several inches over the spot 
aimed at when shot at 30 or 50 yards, and perhaps the 
rear sight cannot be lowered ; then the only recourse is to 
build up the front sight. It is often found that the rifle 
shoots one or more inches to the right or left which 
necessitates moving the sights laterally. 

Remember, when correcting vertical error, to move the 
rear sight in the direction you wish the bullet to go, and 
the front sight in the opposite direction. Do not move the 
front or rear sight so much as to cause it to appear to be 
fixed at the right or left of the centre of the bore, but try 
and move both so as to have them appear in line over the 
centre of the bore. When you move the sights, do it by 
means of a piece of brass placed on the sight, and the 
blow struck on the brass and not directly on the sights, 
as by the latter means you dent the sights and the barrel. 
In shooting the rifle be careful and hold it plumb, as by 
rolling it the shots will incline in the direction the rifle is 
rolled. 



204 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

In testing a rifle or sighting it, always use the charge 
you would at the target or hunting. Always rest the rifle 
at one place on the barrel ; the best place is 2 to 5 inches 
from the end of the muzzle. Avoid resting for one shot 
there, and the next at a point on or near the fore- 
stock, if possible, rest the barrel on a cushion of some 
soft material. Press the butt to the shoulder firmly, and 
with a uniform pressure. Be careful not to press the 
butt to the shoulder lightly with one shot, and firmly with 
another, as such treatment is likely to cause variation in 
the shooting even if sighted correctly each time. There 
is no cushion to receive the recoil which is equal to the 
shoulder of a person. Do not screw a rifle in a vice, for 
you cannot make it shoot well in that way. 

After aligning and arranging the sights at the short- 
range, shoot the rifle at the different ranges, and make 
a memoranda of the elevations. If you are shooting a 
hunting rifle don't fire rapidly. I have seen men visit the 
rifle range to test a hunting rifle, open a box of cartridges 
and stand at the firing point, shoot fifty or more shots as 
rapidly as they could, and complain because the rifle did 
not shoot accurately. Rapidity of fire is generally at the 
expense of accuracy ; therefore, if the atmosphere is dry, 
shoot slowly, and keep the rifle as cool as possible. It 
often happens that a rifle is shot rapidly for a brief time, 
as with a repeating rifle when hunting. It is well to wipe 
out the rifle if possible after rapid firing, and you will at 
such times frequently perceive lead attached to the wiping 
rag. The presence of lead in a rifle barrel is detrimental 
to good shooting, therefore try and guard against leading 
the barrel, and, as soon as discovered, try and remove 
the lead. 

A person is less liable to do good shooting on very cold 
or extremely hot days. When the air is moist, the sun 
obscured by clouds, and the temperature even, is the most 
favorable time for rifle shooting. Changeable light affects 



MODERN AMERICAN RIELES. • 205 

elevation. Wind causes the bullet to vary in its flight — 
a head wind causes the bullet to shoot low ; a rear wind 
accelerates its flight, and consequently the bullet does not 
drop so much ; a right or left wind influences the drift of 
the bullet in one or the other direction. 

The twist of the rifle has its influence on the drift of 
the bullet. I have frequently been surprised at the accu- 
racy secured by light bullets and heavy charges of powder 
in rifles with quick twist, — in fact, it was difficult for me 
to accept the results, — and would repeat the experiments, 
but as practically the same results could be secured, I 
finally formed the opinion that accuracy was not impaired 
with excess of twist and a powder charge up to a certain 
limit, but, although trajectory was lowered and accuracy 
maintained when a lighter bullet than intended for the 
rifle was employed, the drift with such rifles and ammu- 
nition was excessive. 

A rifle, whether for target or game shooting, should 
always be shot for alignment of sights before entering a 
match or seeking game. It is a fact that some rifles are 
not bored concentrically, or the sights are not properly 
arranged, and the arm will not shoot true to the aim, 
although the shots may bunch together. Most riflemen 
prefer to sight their rifles by shooting them from a rest ; 
for there is a positiveness about the result which is not 
felt when shooting off-hand. Shooting a rifle from a rest 
is more difficult than is accredited to the performance. A 
firm, steady rest is essential ; I prefer sighting a hunting 
rifle in the following manner : — 

Place a target at the shortest distance at which one is 
likely to shoot when hunting, and in front of a bank of 
earth large enough to catch the bullets. Secure a table or 
stand which rests firmly on the ground, and seat one's 
self by the side of the stand. Near by should be placed 
several files, among them a flat, a three-cornered, and one 
or two small rat-tail files. A piece of brass rod one or twQ 



206 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

inches long, and quarter of an inch thick, a small hammer, 
two screw-drivers of different sizes, should be included in 
the tools for the work, and with such a kit of tools a rifle 
ought to be perfectly sighted. Load the rifle, and rest- 
ing both elbows on the table, grasp the rifle as you would 
when shooting off-hand, aim at the spot on the target. If 
using a rear open sight, have it lowered to the lowest point, 
and draw a very fine sight. If using a Lyman rear sight, 
have it lowered as much as possible ; take a careful aim, 
press the trigger slowly and carefully, without thinking of 
the rifle being fired or the recoil. When the rifle is dis- 
charged, inspect the target. If the shot is low, the remedy 
comes in lowering the front sight or raising the rear sight. 
But perhaps the front sight has an ivory tip, and it would 
spoil it to file it down, so the rifleman turns his attention 
to the rear sight. It is an easy matter to raise the sight, 
but it seems desirable to have the rear sight arranged so 
that it can be placed at its lowest point, and be ready for 
shooting at the shortest distance ; which enables the sports- 
man to place it at that point, and know it is at the desired 
place without ceasing to watch the game. In this predic- 
ament, the recourse is to raise the rear sight, and then 
arrange it so that it cannot be lowered below the desired 
point ; or, build up the rear sight. If the shot is high, the 
notch of the rear open sight must be cut down or the front 
sight raised or built up. 

I have often found that owing to the taper of the barrel 
there was no front sight in the market high enough to use 
with the rear sight. Often, too, the rifle is supplied with 
a Lyman sight on the tang, which cannot be lowered to 
the desired point. Or with a Maynard rifle with two 
barrels of different calibre, length, and taper, a rear 
Lyman sight may be lowered enough to shoot at 25 yards 
with one barrel, and the other barrel being of less diameter 
at muzzle, it may be found impossible to lower the sight 
as much as wanted. By building up the base of a front 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 20/ 

sight, this difference is remedied, and one can have barrels 
of different lengths and taper, so sighted that the Lyman 
rear sight can be run down to its lowest point and shoot 
with either barrel at 25 yards, and secure your elevation 
beyond that range with each barrel ; not agreeing, of 
course, only at the shortest range. 

It is true that Lyman rear sights of different heights 

can be obtained, but sometimes the changing of this sight 

-would mean weeks of delay. The collar and part of the 

Lyman rear sight can be cut down, also a pin placed in the 

sight to prevent lowering below a certain point. 

When it is apparent that there is quite a difference from 
the sights in the market and those desired, I find it a good 
plan to make a very high front sight, and by shooting and 
cutting it down until I have secured the right height and 
then having a sight made, or purchasing one of the style 
preferred, — to correspond in height to the one improvised, 
— I get the proper sight for the arm. 

If the shots from the rifle are the right elevation, but 
to the right or left, the usual way of correcting the 
fault is to knock the front or rear sight, or both, and to 
do this the piece of brass above referred to should be 
used. 

When using the rear Lyman sight and lateral error is 
found, when the front open sight appears to be in the 
centre of the slot, the fault is likely to be in the Lyman 
sight being canted to one side or the other. If the shots 
are to the right, loosen the screws which attach the sight, 
and place a piece of paper or thin card-board under the 
right side of the base. If the shots are to the left, place 
the paper or card-board under the left side. As a rule, 
the sights can, to use a rifleman's phrase, be " squared 
up " to a nicety. When the sights are correctly arranged, 
the card-board can be trimmed off so as not to show. 

If the rear sight be an open sight, it may be necessary 
to cut the notch deeper, and generally the abominable ears 



208 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

or horns of the sight are cut off, then the notch cut to 
suit, bevelling the top-side nearest the front sight, as well 
as the notch. A V notch or U notch or a square notch 
U are the varieties used. 

The filing, of course, leaves the sights bright. A sim- 
ple way of bluing them is to remove the sights from the 
rifle, wipe them clean and free from oil, after which attach 
them to a wire and hold them in a flame until the desired 
color appears, then allow the metal to cool. 

In sighting a match rifle it is not essential to have the 
rear sight come to a stop at the lowest range used. It is 
desirable to " square up " the rear peep sight, and the usual 
way is as described. See that the rear sight has no back 
lash, which is hazardous to good shooting. If a front 
wind-gauge sight is used, see that the fitting of the wind- 
gauge hood is snug. 

When shooting a rifle without cleaning between shots, 
it is well to blow the breath into the barrel. Sometimics 
a rubber tube is used for this purpose, but the use of such 
an implement should be confined to the range. 

It seems almost superfluous to give a description of how 
to load a breech-loading match rifle, but the many requests 
received at the office of a sportsmen's paper for enlighten- 
ment, indicate there are many seeking such information. 
Most target shooters using a patched bullet, manipulate the 
rifle as follows : after firing, the action is opened and shell 
removed ; the rifle is tipped over so that the barrel is toward 
the ground ; a Fisher cleaning brush, with bristles at one 
end and rubber bands at another part, — the brush has 
been placed in a can or bottle of water, — is pushed through 
the barrel with a rod, and in the slots of the rod are pieces 
of flannel. The bristles of the cleaning brush scrub off 
the burnt powder, the rubber bands on the brush carry 
out most of the water, and the rag wipes out the remain- 
der of the water. Sometimes this is all the cleaning done, 
but often another cleaning rod with a rag in the slot, and 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



209 



sometimes a third, is used, with the object of making the 
inside of the batrel perfectly clean and dry. Keep watch 
on the rags, and as they become damp, supply dry ones ; 
for, if the patch becomes wet, it is liable to tear easily and 
let the lead touch the barrel, and lead with- 
out lubrication leads the barrel and destroys 
accuracy. Very few riflemen oil the barrel 
between shots. If it is done, care must be 
used to lubricate the same each time. 

After cleaning, a patched bullet is placed 
in the barrel. Sometimes the patch is cut 
or slit with a pocket knife diagonally ; but 
often this is omitted. Some simply drop the 
bullet in the barrel through the chamber ; 
others place the bullet in a ball-seater, Fig. 
106, and by aid of the ball-seater place the 
bullet in the barrel just ahead of the chamber 
in the rifling ; still others use a wooden plug, 
shaped like the chamber, to seat the bullet, 
and sometimes the bullet is seated in the 
mouth of the shell. Frequently shooters on 
rifle ranges use but one shell, reloading it for 
each shot ; or, if preferred, the shells can be 
loaded in quantity and carried to the range. 
Shells for target rifles are usually filled to the 
top, the powder shaken down by tapping, a 
wad of blotting-paper or card-board placed 
over the powder, nearly flush with the top of 
shell. The bullet is seated just beyond the 
end of shell, and the little space of about ^ 
inch between base of bullet and wad is called 
the air space, which is considered desirable, 
or certainly not objectionable. 

Most riflemen believe that a rifle loaded as just described 
shoots with the greatest accuracy ; but hunting and mili- 
tary arms are seldom shot in such a way, and, while I ad- 




Fig. 154.— A Bullet 
Seater. 



210 MODERN AMERICAN RIELES. 

mit the chances are much in favor of the rifle loaded, as are 
most of those used for target shooting, possessing greater 
accuracy, I am sure that a hunting rifle — the arm I am 
more deeply interested in than all others — is capable 
of shooting far finer than any living man can sight or 
hold. 

Use your hunting rifle as you would a fine horse — never 
overheat the rifle by rapid firing unless an emergency calls 
for it ; then you can spurt it for all it is worth for rapidity 
and accuracy, but the moment opportunity offers, treat the 
rifle as you would the steed — cool it ; wipe it ; cover it ; 
and guard it from knocks or falling, or unnecessary 
exposure. 

I have been so greatly fatigued by an all-day's hunt that 
a moment after I rolled myself in my blanket, on the open 
Dakota plains, I have been sound asleep, but I have never 
yet fallen asleep for the night, when on a hunt, if I had shot 
my rifle during the day, without wiping and oiling the in- 
side of my rifle barrel. I do not care if the outside of 
the rifle is rusted and scarred, but I want the inside of the 
barrel free from rust and lead. 

Many riflemen complain of rifles rusting, especially in 
small bores like the .22-calibre. The liability of rust is 
greater with small calibres, but a very little attention at 
the proper time I have always found a preventive. I gen- 
erally wipe the inside of a barrel with a woollen rag placed 
in the slot of a wooden or brass rod ; never use an iron or 
steel rod. I wipe out the barrel thoroughly with two or 
three different dry rags, then use one saturated moderately 
with sperm oil or vaseline. Be sure your cleaning rags 
are dry, as, if wet with water, the oil will not prevent 
rust. Some riflemen choose to wipe the barrel dry after 
oiling. 

If lead accumulates in the barrels, procure some quick- 
silver, and, after corking one end of barrel, pour the mer- 
cury in, and roll it back and forth. The lead will 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 211 

amalgamate with the quicksilver, and thus be largely or 
wholly removedv 

A large proportion of rifles which are considered imper- 
fect are spoiled by improper manipulation, and many 
which are considered ruined could be made to shoot well 
if handled by a well-informed rifleman. 



^li MODE UN AMERICAN RIELES. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

THE PROPER AND THE ABSURD USE OF THE RIFLE. 

The rifle is not only the noblest of all weapons, but is 
an instrument from which many find their greatest pleas- 
ure. It can be made a weapon which enables man to face 
the wildest and fiercest animals that walk the earth. Wild 
beasts, many times the size and strength of man, are fear- 
lessly met in their native lair, and man, a pygmy, when 
compared with certain beasts, coolly faces an animal, takes 
aim with his rifle, presses the trigger, and generally the 
wild beast falls dead from the bullet from his rifle. There 
is no other instrument known with which the sportsman 
would dare to meet such wild beasts face to face. There 
are many persons possessing sufficient wealth to enable 
them to indulge in almost every known luxury ; but the 
acme of pleasure is to hunt beasts of the greatest ferocity, 
and they will travel thousands of miles, seek the wildest 
regions to hunt the most ferocious animals, and their chief 
dependence is the rifle. While some find a pleasure in the 
use of the rifle as just described, others find it a necessity, 
and employ its use for food or profit. The perfection of 
the military rifle, and skill in its use make a mighty nation. 
Then there is rifle shooting at the target as a pleasure and 
pastime, the knowledge of which can be applied to any 
style of rifle shooting. With the numerous devotees to 
the various styles of rifle shooting there is much in the 
way of adventure and feats of skill which furnishes a fruit- 
ful source for writers, and the rifle has been conspicuous 
in tales of adventure and accounts of contests of skill. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 213 

There are certain legitimate uses for the rifle which have 
been described- in previous chapters. Hunting with the 
rifle is to many the greatest of sports ; defence and v/ar- 
fare are sometimes necessities ; so is hunting for profit 
or food. Target shooting, whether with hunting, mihtary, 
or match rifle, off-hand or with rest, at long or short range, 
at stationary or moving objects, is instructive, beneficial, 
and, to many, a pleasant pastime. All of the above uses 
of the rifle are considered legitimate. 

There is a class of rifle shooting, however, which is held 
forth as requiring the greatest skill, which is senseless, of 
no practical value, and if by my efforts I can record any- 
thing that will prevent persons from cultivating it or 
applauding it, I shall be repaid for my labor. I refer to 
what is termed "fancy rifle shooting." As a rule, the 
fancy rifle shooter is a conspicuously poor rifle shot in 
regular and accepted legitimate uses of the rifle. I write 
advisedly on this subject, for my duties for many years 
have bought me in contact with many of the leading pro- 
fessional shots of the world, some of them magnificent 
shots; but, with the exception of a few, their skill lies in 
cultivating some absurd manner of shooting at short 
range, which no one familiar with the rifle recognizes as 
of any practical value, and then proclaiming themselves 
as champions of that special mode of manipulating a rifle. 

Riflemen of mature years, perhaps, having arrived at the 
age of discretion, are less liable to be influenced by the 
exhibitions of the "fancy rifle shooter" than those of 
tender years, so I would especially direct my remarks to 
the young. 

If a person acquires sufficient skill to place half his 
shots in the regulation bullseye from 25 to 1,000 yards, in 
the prescribed positions, he is acquiring a proficiency far 
beyond .what the average rifleman generally attains. If 
one by natural gifts or assiduous practice is able to occa- 
sionally place all of his shots in a score, in an 8-inch 



214 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

bullseye at 200 yards off-hand, with a match rifle, he can 
rest assured that he is one of the best off-hand rifle shots, 
with match rifle, in America. If this can be done with a 
hunting rifle, sighted as such, or with a military rifle, he 
who accomplishes such a feat can properly consider him- 
self as possessing greater skill than the average rifleman 
can ever hope to attain in that style of shooting, is equal 
to any living shot, and at the highest point in that style 
of rifle shooting. Such proficiency, and the ability to 
shoot an occasional ten-shot clean score at 500 yards, — a 
not uncommon occurrence, — and score an occasional 46 
to 48 out of 50, at 600 yards, with the same style of rifle, 
in my opinion would entitle a man to the reputation of 
being one of the best living rifle shots at the target. If, 
with such skill, a person could cultivate shooting accurately 
at moving objects, or shooting quickly, he would possess 
all the skill necessary for hunting or warfare, far beyond 
what some of the best-known riflemen of America 
possess. I have mingled among expert riflemen, pro- 
fessional and amateur, for many years, and have never yet 
known of one possessing such a high order of skill. 

With a target rifle, when shot at a rest at 200 yards, if 
one is able to occasionally score from no to 118 on the 
Standard American rest target, he can be well satisfied 
with his skill as a rest shooter. 

I should consider the rifleman who is able to frequently 
secure aggregates of 80 to 86 in ten shots off-hand at 200 
yards, on Standard American target, and a majority of his 
scores aggregating in the eighties, a first-class off-hand 
target shot. From 47 to 50 out of 50 points on Creedmoor 
target would be about the same order of skill. I should 
rate the rifleman who made a total of from 75 to 80 fre- 
quently, under the same conditions on Standard target, or 
44 to 47 on the Creedmoor target, as a second-class target 
shot. Scores below 75 on Standard target, or less than 41 
on Creedmoor target, I should consider the work of a 



MODERN AMERICAN RIELES. 21$ 

third-class shot, if such scores represented his best 
work. 

It is much easier to gauge the skill of the target shot 
than that of the hunter, for, with the latter, no prescribed 
rules are followed, and other elements are to be taken into 
consideration. A third-class marksman on the rifle range 
may make the best hunter ; but chances, according to my 
way of thinking, are always in favor of the first-class 
■^marksmen securing the most game if sufficient time is 
given for a full comparison of skill. In certain styles of 
hunting, such as still-hunting, the knowledge of woodcraft 
is more necessary than superior marksmanship ; and if 
some fine target rifle shot goes to the woods, and with the 
strange and unfamiliar surroundings gets flustrated at the 
sudden sight of game, it is not strange, but, however, 
sooner or later, when accustomed to such occurrences, 
his superior marksmanship will count heavily in his favor. 

I have endeavored to show what amount of skill I con- 
sider necessary in legitimate target rifle shooting to secure 
distinction. Such shooting is at prescribed distances and 
under rules specifying the way a rifle should be held. 
There are persons who seek to astonish the world by 
what they term "fancy rifle shooting," and the accounts 
sometimes published of their performances seem to indi- 
cate they have amazed many. 

There is no practical value to skill in shooting a rifle 
sideways, upside down, leaning over a chair, shooting be- 
tween the legs, with rifle on head, or in any such absurd 
positions. Be content to shoot the rifle like a man, with 
butt to shoulder, at regulation distances, and my word for 
it, you have quite as much of a task as you can accom- 
plish in a lifetime if you essay to become a first-class shot. 
One may practise continuously, acquire amazing profi- 
ciency, and he never will become so fine a rifle shot that 
he can, with absolute certainty, hit the regulation bulls- 
eye every time, shooting off-hand at the prescribed dis- 



2l6 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

tances, or in the permitted positions at mid and long 
range in target shooting, and the same uncertainty will 
exist in the field. 

Shooting at objects thrown in the air is another useless 
style of shooting to cultivate. There is nothing like it in 
practical shooting. If the objects were thrown sideways 
or away from the shooter, the case would be different, for 
it would teach one to follow moving objects, which is an 
accomplishment of great practical value for those who 
hunt with the rifle ; in fact, it is the much neglected part 
of rifle practice in America, and I hope some day to see 
more provisions made for practicing with the hunting rifle 
on rifle ranges. This can be easily and safely done by 
providing a disappearing target, or a rolling target, and 
confining the practice to small calibres with light charges. 

There is no better practice than shooting at slow flying 
birds or jack-rabbits running. But objects thrown into the 
air are shot at generally when they come to a standstill, 
or nearly to that point. Whenever you meet a person 
who boasts of his skill in hitting objects thrown into the 
air, try and gain permission to throw the objects. If you 
succeed, throw them to right or left and see how many 
are hit with a rifle bullet. Nearly every professional 
shooter can hit objects tossed into the air with a bullet 
from a rifle, if the objects are large enough, shot at a dis- 
tance of a few yards, and tossed by one understanding 
just how to throw the objects. I have seen professional 
shots break many successive glass balls tossed into the air 
at ranges of 6 to lo yards, who could not be relied on to 
keep ten shots in the 4-ring of the Creedmoor target at 200 
yards, shooting off-hand. I have seen an almost continuous 
stream of fire poured from a Winchester rifle by persons 
who would make misses at the regulation target. The 
shooting with a rifle and ball with certainty from horse- 
back and the animal running, is a myth, but recorded as a 
fact by writers describing frontier life. If one wishes to 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 21/ 

know the uncertainty of such shooting, try it ; they will 
probably find shooting when the horse is standing as diffi- 
cult a performance as they care to undertake ; also try 
shooting from a canoe when there is a little ripple on the 
water. There is no certainty about the former, and it is 
extremely difficult in the latter way. Shooting from horse- 
back with cartridges loaded with shot and fired from a 
.50-calibre Winchester rifle, or the same arm with a 
"smooth-bore barrel is quite as difficult a performance as 
any one desires, and it is the way such work is generally 
done. Splitting cards with a rifle bullet had better be 
eschewed ; driving nails, exploding cartridges, and such 
practices are useless, and the time and ammunition thus 
expended can much more advantageously be employed in 
shooting at a long distance, and at objects small enough 
to make the performance difficult. I think the practice 
of shooting at an object so large as to make hitting it 
every time almost a certainty, is calculated to do more 
harm than good. Some persons delight in indulging in 
trick shooting with a rifle, such as smashing clay pipes 
at 10 yards ; they are happy if they can devise some way 
no sensible person would ever think of shooting ; and if 
they can shoot at very short ranges and break something, 
they style themselves champion rifle shots of the world, 
exhibit their skill to admiring audiences, but somehow 
their names are never found among those who participate 
in international contests ; they don't go to Creedmoor 
and shoot the rifle, neither are they seen on the first-class 
rifle ranges, and I have rarely seen them in the field. 



2l8 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

CONSTRUCTING A RIFLE RANGE. LAYING OUT A RANGE. 

ARRANGEMENT OF THE BUTTS AND PITS. SYSTEMS 

FOR MARKING SHOTS. 

Most riflemen desire a rifle range which affords com- 
fort, and is favorably located for good shooting. Criti- 
cisms have often been made on the arrangements of modern 
rifle ranges, and claims put forth that the conditions are 
unlike what would be found in hunting or warfare. 
Much of the shooting done on American rifle ranges is 
with target rifles, and by persons who indulge in it for 
the love of rifle shooting as a sport. Many do not care 
to kill game, and have no interest in implements of war, 
but admire rifle shooting, and desire to make as fine scores 
as is possible, with every known appliance to aid them. 
The rifle to them is a fine instrument which requires great 
skill to handle dexterously, and it is only as a pastime 
that they shoot it. They require the finest rifle that can 
be procured, and will make considerable of a sacrifice to 
secure the best, and stop at no reasonable expense, if they 
can procure a device which will aid them in making better 
scores. There are others, who shoot hunting and military 
rifles, and desire every favorable condition they can se- 
cure when practicing or testing rifles and ammunition. 
Almost every person who shoots a rifle on a rifle range, 
desires the grounds located as free as possible from air 
currents, and where one will not be exposed to the ele- 
ments when shooting. A rifle range should be located, if 



AlODEkN' AMERICAN RIFLES. 210, 

possible, in a flat, open country, or where there are no 
ravines or gullies^ crossing the range, for currents of air to 
sweep through, which deflect bullets in their flight. It is 
desirable to have the targets located so that the shooting 
is toward the north ; for, if located east, the morning's 
sun will shine in the face of the shooter ; if located west, 
the afternoon's sun will prove troublesome. If possible, 
place the targets so as to have a natural backing ; a hill 
or rising ground will save building a bank. Some rifle 
ranges are built with the targets for 200 to 1,000 yards, 
side by side. I think this should be reversed, if possible, 
and all the firing points side by side, and the targets set 
back to the proper points ; this would prevent accidents, 
which might occur from passing from one range to another. 
Owing to the decline of long-range rifle shooting, there 
are but few ranges in America which include the 1,000 
yards. 

In the opinion of most riflemen, there is no arrange- 
ment so safe and satisfactory for the market as a pit 
below the target. The targets generally used beyond 200 
or 300 yards are the first and second class Creedmoor and 
the United States Army targets, and iron, paper, or can- 
vas are the materials from which they are usually con- 
structed. 

After selecting a site for a rifle range, clear away all 
shrubbery which would interfere with sighting, and meas- 
ure with great care the distances required. Do not resort 
to pacing the distance, but use a measuring line ; a steel 
tape is preferred. When the distances have been accu- 
rately measured, the pits can be dug. The fortifications 
thus erected are called the butts, and inside the butts, the 
pits. The butt at the top should be at least five feet 
wide and level at that point. If means permit, pave and 
wall the pit with brick or stone. It is not necessary to 
have fine masonry; stones similar to those used in build- 
ino- stone walls may be used. If such material is not 



220 MObEKN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

procurable, use logs, as by the use of stone or logs the 
pit will keep its shape, and the sides will not be so likely 
to cave in and crumble away. When this is omitted it is 
less secure and always untidy. Arrange the bottom of 
a pit so the water can run off and not stand in the bottom, 
rendering it damp, uncomfortable, and unhealthy. Back 
of the pit it is desirable to have another embankment, 
which is to catch the bullets passing through the paper 
targets or missing those of iron. The length of the butts 
is governed by the number of targets ; the height, meas- 
ured from the bottom of the pit to the top of the butt, 
should be not less than eight feet. The butt should be 
watched, and any washing away by rain should be at once 
repaired. The distance between the butt and rear em- 
bankment should be about five feet, and the intervening 
space covered or roofed with boards, cutting away a place 
for the targets, and to enable the marker to watch for the 
shots, the width being determined by the size of the 
target. 

With the butts constructed and the pit covered, the 
arrangement of the targets can be commenced. If 
the targets are to be of iron, it is usual to procure slabs 
of the desired height and width. It is easy to secure the 
proper length, but generally two or more slabs are neces- 
sary to obtain the required width. The iron generally 
used for targets is about one inch in thickness. The 
slabs are erected by propping up with iron bars. After 
erecting the targets they are painted white, and the bulls- 
eye and lines drawn or chiselled on the target and the 
bullseye blackened. 

The iron target is rapidly disappearing in America, and 
it should have been abandoned long ago. It is more dan- 
gerous than the paper target, on account of flying lead ; 
and a trap must be placed in the cover of the pit, which 
it is necessary to close before each shot, raising afterward, 
and the shot signalled with a marking disk, one side of 



Modern American rifles. 



521 



which indicates the value of a shot, the other arranged 
with a brush to^paint out the shot. Whenever this trap is 
opened, the marker in the pit is in danger ; for, if a shot 
strikes the target, a shower of lead flies, and a portion of 
it will pass down through the trap, which is liable to cut 
the hands and face of the marker and perhaps destroy his 




Fig. 155. —Sectional View of Rifle Pit. 



eyesight. It matters not how great care is exercised by 
clubs, there is a liability for the best and most careful 
rifleman to shoot on the wrong target, and to shoot before 
the trap is closed, although a danger signal is used ; it 
has been done hundreds of times, and markers severely 
injured. Besides this, it is difficult to keep an iron target 
in good condition, especially when many are shooting, 
as in large tournaments. The bullseye will become irreg- 
ular in shape ; and it is quite difficult, and perhaps 
impossible, to tell whether a shot touches it or not. In 
rainy weather the black paint will run, and often oblige 
a cessation of the shooting. As all these faults became 
known, most American riflemen cast the iron target aside, 
and its place has been supplied by paper targets, which are 
now almost universally used, — so much so that a detailed 
description of the iron target seems unnecessary. The 



222 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



arrangement for using paper targets, which has given the 
best satisfaction on the principal ranges, is as follows : — 
A frame of the width of a full target, and about two 
feet longer, is constructed. It is made of pine wood, one 
and a half or two inches in thickness and three inches 
wide. The object of making the frame longer than the 




Fig. 156. — Target Raised ready for Firing. 

target is in order that it may extend into the pit when 
the target is raised, making it easy for the marker to draw 
down to plug or paste the shots. A coarse, stout cloth, 
usually gunny cloth, is tacked tiglitly to the frame ; over 
this is tacked a covering of white cotton cloth, on which 
the paper target is pasted. Very thorough trials of the 
different modes of arranging targets have been made at 
Walnut Hill and elsewhere; and it has been decided that 
no arrangement is as desirable as the window-sash device. 
A frame similar to that used for windows is constructed, 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



223 



enabling the marker to raise and lower the target as he 
would a window. 

A system of double targets was for some time in use, 
which was thought by some to expedite shooting; as when 




Fig. 157. —Target lowered into Rifle Pit. 



a shot was placed on one, another was raised, and while 
the shot was being clocked and the hole pasted, another 
marksman would be taking his place at the firing point, 
aiming or even firing. The chief objection to this plan 
was, it necessitated having two shooters on a target ; for, 
if one person was firing alone, he could not see the loca- 
tion of his shot until he or some other party had fired 



224 Modern American rifles. 

another shot to throw down the second target and bring 
up the first. With the double arrangement of targets 
there is always one displayed, and consequently the 
danger of accident is greater; for whenever a target is 
shown, it is possible that some one may fire on it, even if 
danger signals are displayed : therefore a majority of rifle- 
men favor the single target arrangement. 

The sash arrangement to receive the target is placed in 
the pit ; and the illustration shows it with the target 
mounted, set in the sash and lowered into the pit. 
Another illustration shows the target raised from the 
pit to the position it is when shot on. 

Although the iron target is rapidly falling into disuse, 
especially at short range, 200 yards, the Creedmoor count 
is still used, though chiefly by military marksmen. There 
are two modes of marking shots by Creedmoor count, in 
general use. The first is by the disks, placing one where 
the shot strikes the target, and signalling the value at the 
same time; the white disk indicating a bullseye, counting 
5; the red a centre, counting 4; the black and white an 
inner, counting 3 ; the black an outer, counting 2. The 
marking disks are arranged in the pit, as shown in the 
illustration (Fig. 161). If an iron target is used, a brush 
on the inner side of the disk paints out the shot at the 
time of signalling the value. If paper targets are used, 
and the disks employed, the proper one is placed upon 
the location of the shot, after which it is replaced in its 
rack, the target lowered, the shot pasted, a white one 
being used for shots outside the bullseye, a black one when 
in it. Well grounded objections have been raised to mark- 
ing by disks. The color is sometimes mistaken ; if used 
to paint out the shot on an iron target, it is necessary to 
be supplied with paint in the pit, which causes much dirt, 
and the brushes are stiffened and made unserviceable. The 
disks occupy space in the pit, and are unnecessary if the 
better mode of clocking the shots is employed. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIELES. 



225 



A device for registering the value of shots, which has 
given satisfaction at Walnut Hill, and is in use at many of 
the leading rifle ranges in America, was perfected by Mr. 
J. W. Soule, a practical rifleman and mechanic possessing 
a very high order of skill. 

His device is designed to accurately indicate on a dial 
the value of shots at rifle ranges, and its mechanism is as 
follows : A brass plate, supporting two 
bearings at right angles with each other 
(one horizontal for the hand spindle, the 
other vertical for the shaft), is fastened to 
the back side of the dial, the hand spindle 
bearing projecting through the dial, The 
index hand and shaft are connected by brass 
bevel cut gears. The shaft extends from 
the dial into the pit, and is there connected 
with a segment of metal, having numbers 
on its arc corresponding to the numbers on 
the target. The segment is provided with a 
series of holes to correspond with its num- 
bers. The shaft has firmly attached to it 
by a set screw, a spring lever, extending 
over the segment, said lever having a pro- 
jecting pin on its under side, which fits into 
the holes in the segment. In operation, the 
marker notes the value of the shot on the 
target, and covers the corresponding num- 
ber on the segment with the lever (which 
locks in that position), and the hand is 
moved to a like number on the dial. This 
can be seen in the accompanying illustra- 
tion. 

By using this device, the value of a shot remains in view 
until the next one is marked, which is quite an advantage. 
The target index here shown is very popular with Ameri- 
can riflemen, because it can be used to mark shots by 





%. 158. - Soule's 
Target Index. 



226 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

Creedmoor count, by Standard American target count, 
either on tlie off-hand or rest target, by Massachusetts tar- 
get, or, in fact, any target counting from one to twelve, or 
less. 

The somewhat primitive method of showing a card 
with a large figure thereon is employed by some clubs, as 





Fig. 159. — Indicator Plug. Fig. 160. — Indicator. 

well as a post with figures arranged, and a pointing indi- 
cator set opposite the figure representing the value of a 
shot. But no system has given such general satisfaction 
as the clock or dial indicator. Riflemen who shoot at tar- 
gets and are scored the results, desire to know the location 
of their shots which are pointed out by the disk system 
but quite unsatisfactorily, and is only proper for military 
or what might be termed coarse shooting. In connection 
with the target index is a plan which, wherever tried, 
seemingly gives satisfaction. It was originated at Walnut 
Hill by'^Mr. Geo. R. Russell. 

After a shot has been fired, the target is drawn down 
into a pit by the marker, who is supplied with an indicator 
plug, which is shown in the accompanying engraving. 

Fig. Ill represents a wooden plug. Fig. 112 represents 
an indicator; both are shown full size. This indicator 
is composed of card-board ; it has a black centre and a 
white outer. Through the centre of the indicator is a hole 
through which the right-hand end of the plug is inserted 
from the reverse or white side and carried to the groove 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES- 



227 



shown in the engraving, where it is held firmly. The left- 
hand end of th-e plug is placed in the bullet-hole, and the 
target raised out of the pit for the second shot. By aid of 
the telescope at the firing point, the rifleman who has fired 




Fig. 161. — Arrangement of marking Disks for Creedmoor or Elliptical Targets. 



his shot can distinctly see where his bullet struck. If in- 
side of the bullseye the white outer makes it seen, and the 
exact location spotted ; if outside of the bullseye the black 
centre makes it conspicuous and easily discerned. 

After the second shot is fired the target is again low- 
ered by the marker, who hears the spat of the bullet as it 
strikes the target. The indicator is removed from the 



228 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

first bullet-hole and placed in the second ; the marker 
pastes a gummed paster over the first shot-hole ; if outside 
of the bullseye one of white, if inside of the black, one 
of that color. If the bullet cuts the edge of the bullseye 
a black paster is used up to the edge, and a white one 
for outside of the black. The target is then raised for 





Fig. 162. — White Paster— Full Size. Fig. 163. — Black Paster — Full Size. 

another shot. At the side of the target, over the pit, is 
the clock dial previously described, the hand of which is 
set to the figures representing the value of the shot by 
the marker from the pit ; this being readily seen with the 
naked eye by the rifleman and scorer at the firing point. 

With the pits properly constructed and the targets in 
good working order, attention can be given to arranging 
the firing points. If the plan of having but one line of 
firing points for the various ranges is adopted, a shooting- 
pavilion can be arranged, either extending down the entire 
line or part way. If the firing points are at different 
parts of the range, it is common to locate the shooting 
house near the 200-yard range. At Walnut Hill one steps 
from the club house to this firing point, and this plan pre- 
vails at the ranges of a majority of American rifle clubs. 
It is desirable to have a solid and substantial footing while 
aiming, preferably the ground. Many clubs permit the 
use of wind screens, and also cover the firing points by 
projecting eaves to keep off the rain. Early in the his- 
tory of rifle clubs many protested against these provisions 
for protectiori in inclerneiit weather, but it vyas found that 



MODERX AMERICAN RIFLES. 229 

riflemen would not shoot except when the weather was 
favorable, unless the range was supplied with screens and 
other appliances, and one club after another added them 
until the custom has become almost universal. It is usual 
to have each target numbered or lettered, and correspond- 
ing figures at the firing points, to aid riflemen in shooting 
at the right targets; a fine is usually imposed for shooting 
on the wrong one. There should always be a flag of some 
striking color provided for the markers at the pit, and one 
for each firing point. Should a target get out of running 
order, or anything occur to call the markers from the pit 

to the front of the target, the flag ^ 

at the pit should be planted at the "2 

end of the butt, targets should be Fig-i64.-combined Marking disks 

lowered if possible, and the scorers 

at the firing points should respond by planting flags in 
front of the firing points ; all firing should cease, rifles 
uncocked and actions opened. 

After repairing targets the marker should return to the 
pit and lower his flag, when all of the flags at the firing 
points from which shooting is being done should be re- 
moved. It is best to keep flags flying from such firing 
points as are not in use on shooting days, and only remove 
them when the targets are opened. 

It is customary to locate at different places on the 
range, flags or streamers, and a wind dial. Both are in- 
tended to indicate the direction and force of the wind. 

These flags and streamers are made of any suitable 
material. The wind dial is illustrated. It is so arranged 
that the wind will indicate on a clock dial the direction 
from which it blows, and riflemen speak of a wind which 
blows the indicator opposite the figure three, as a three 
o'clock wind ; when pointing to the figure six, as a six 
o'clock wind. 

It is sometimes difficult to provide a backing or rear 
embankment sufficiently large to catch stray bullets which 



230 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



come from wild shooting, and if a range is situated in a 
thickly settled country it is necessary to provide a safe- 
guard. This is done by erecting a barrier about twenty 
yards from the firing point, with holes cut in it, through 

which the rifleman shoots. The 
barrier may be built of ordinary 
timber, two inches in thickness. 
Heavy posts should be driven in 
the ground to which two rows of 
plank are attached, leaving a 
space of two feet between, 
which should be filled with rocks 
or earth. The hole through the 
barrier should be of such size 
that shots passing through it 
will hit the target, and there- 
fore if an unsteady marksman 
flinches, or jerks the rifle so the 
bullet would fail to hit the tar- 
get, the shot would be caught 
in the safety guard. 

With the ranges measured, 
pits built, targets and target 
indexes erected, a wind dial set 
up, and firing points arranged, 
the outdoor part of the range 
is completed. The shooting house should be provided 
with racks for rifles, and shelves for the riflemen's kits. 

On visiting the grounds of a large rifle club, or where 
matches are being shot, one usually purchases entries, and 
is supplied with a double ticket ; this is handed to the 
scorer who places it in a score board and calls the name 
of the shooter in turn. On well-equipped ranges two 
telescopes are supplied at each firing point, one for the 
scorer, the other for the shooter. Upon firing, if the tar- 
get is hit, it is lowered into the pit, the shot plugged with 




Fig. 165.— Wind Dial. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 23 1 

the indicator, the target raised from the pit where, by 
aid of the telescope, the shooter and marker see the 
location of the shot. It is the duty of the scorer to see 
that the marker clocks the shots on the target index, and 
if correctly done he calls the shot and records the value 
on the score card which, when completed, is aggregated, 
and one part of the ticket given to the shooter, while the 
other is held by the club for record, or determining the 
position of contestant in the match. 

There should always be an executive officer present, to 
whom all disputed shots or other questions should be re- 
ferred for final or temporary settlement. 



232 , MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



CHAPTER XX. 

TARGETS USED BY AMERICAN RIFLEMEN. 

Rifle targets are generally known as inanimate objects 
at which riflemen shoot for practice or trials of competitive 
skill. Thousands of matches have been shot on the crud- 
est forms of targets, such as a blaze on a tree, a conspicuous 
mark on a rock, a knot of a tree, or roughly marked spots 
of various sizes and shapes, and at distances from a few 
yards upward. Contests on such targets would probably 
be settled by the greatest number of hits. It is well 
known by riflemen that a target should be larger than the 
conspicuous object or point aimed at. A target consist- 
ing only of a spot of such size as to call forth any skill to 
hit or pleasure to shoot at, would give but little satisfac- 
tion ; for, if missed, and the rifleman was conscious of 
holding the arm properly, he would desire to know where 
his shots struck, in order that he might correct the fault. 
If the rifle was held right, the arm properly made, and the 
ammunition good, the chances would be that the error was 
in the sights being improperly set to correct the force of 
wind, or some similar cause. Therefore, nearly all targets 
are considerably larger than the conspicuous spot aimed 
at, and by this arrangement a marksman can learn where 
his bullets strike. 

If there were no contests of skill in rifle shooting, there 
would be less need of anything more than the crudest of 
targets, such as alluded to. From the time rifles were 
first made, until the present, those who shot them have 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 233 

measured skill with each other. A target sufficiently large 
to catch all the shots which show skill in aiming and firing 
worthy of record, is generally employed, in the centre of 
which a spot, of a size suitable to the distance or kind of 
sights used, is placed. If two persons are shooting a 
match, the first may place six out of ten shots in the place 
aimed at, and miss the target entirely with the remaining 
four shots. The second may hit the object aimed at but 
three times, but place the remaining seven shots within an 
inch of the spot sighted on. It would not take much 
reasoning to determine that the second marksman dis- 
played greater skill than the first ; but, if the object aimed 
at constituted the whole of the target, or some of the 
crude forms alluded to which did not show the close shots, 
such as a bottle or rock set on a stump, then the first per- 
son would probably be voted the superior shot. Most in- 
telligent riflemen recognize the value of close shots, and 
claim their proper value. 

One of the oldest and best methods ever devised for 
determining the value of shots, one which never has or 
will outgrow its usefulness, is known as string measure- 
ment. If the marksman is shooting a score, and this sys- 
tem of scoring is employed, he will measure from the 
exact centre of an object aimed at, whether large or small, 
to the centre of each shot, add the results of the shots 
together, and the person securing the shortest string or 
the least number of inches has made the superior score. 
For many years this mode of scoring shots was followed, 
and is to some extent practiced to-day, especially in con- 
tests where muzzle-loading rifles are used. Every few 
months some writer to the sportsmen's journals advocates 
a return to this system, but it probably will never be used 
to any great extent again in any contests, except by the 
class referred to, or perhaps matches where there are but 
few contestants. The equity of the string measurement 
system is shown in Figs. 166 and 167. If shooting at a 



234 



MODERN AMERICAN RIELES. 



bullseye the size of these circles by Creedmoor count, the 
person making the target shown in Fig. i66 would make 
the better score ; but, if scoring by string measurement, 
the one making the Fig. 167 target would be the winner, 





Fig. 166. — A Score Exceeding Fig. 167, by Creedmoor Count. 

and he would actually do better shooting. Rifle shooting 
in America has become a very popular sport, and the 
number of rifle clubs is increasing ; the citizen soldiers in 
most of the States now pay considerable attention to rifle 
practice ; tournaments are held in various sections of the 
country, and men become wonderfully skilful in off-hand 
shooting, by constant practice. In fact, there are thou- 
sands of off-hand rifle shooters where there are dozens who 
shoot from a rest. The off-hand shooters meet at large 
tournaments, and it is nothing unusual for a contestant to 
fire a hundred shots a day. The expenses of shooting 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



235 



festivals are large, and it is customary to encourage rapid 
firing, therefore it would entail an enormous amount of 
labor to employ the string measurement system of count- 
ing ; besides, in off-hand shooting, a mode of marking is 
employed which is speedier, generally accurate enough to 




Fig. 167.— A Score Exceeding Fig. 166, by String Measurement. 

correctly determine the value of shots, permits marksmen 
to shoot much more, and therefore enables a great number 
to participate in a match, and is cheaper. The plan chiefly 
employed is placing markers in pits, who signal the value 
of shots. 

The National Rifle Association of America was formed 
Nov. 24, 1 87 1, and prior to that time targets of various 
designs were used. Upon the organization of this asso- 
ciation, a set of targets was adopted which are shown in 
the accompanying illustrations, the sizes being: — 

A. — Up to 300 yards; target, 6x4 feet; buUseye, 
8 inches square ; centre, 2 feet. 

B. — Over 300 to 600 yards ; 6 feet square ; bullseye, 

2 feet square ; centre, 4 feet. 

C. — Over 600 to 1,000 yards; 6 x 12 feet; bullseye, 

3 feet square ; centre, 6 feet. 

In all cases bullseyes to count 4, centres 3, outers 2. 



236 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



This set of targets was used by the National Rifle Asso- 
ciation and other clubs. The square bullseye, however, 
did not give satisfaction to a majority of riflemen, and on 
April 6, 1875, the N. R. A. voted to substitute a round 





A Target. 


4FT 

1 FT 




5^ 


IB 

3 






z 





Fig. 168. 





4 FT 




2FT 




CEWTftE 


z 


OUTI^R 



Fig. 169. 



C Target. 

fZ FT 







3FT 


■ 






z 


3 


■ 

6FT 


\ 


t3s 


3N 

H 



Fig. 170. —Old Creedmoor Targets. 



bullseye and circles, also to add another circle and change 
the count to bullseye 5, centre 4, inner 3, and outer 2, the 
size of the original targets being retained. It is evident 
from the records of this association that riflemen were not 
very proficient in off-hand shooting as late as 1875, for in 
the annual report of that year is found the measurements of 
the new targets and the following comments : This change 
seemed to work well for comparative purposes, and also ne- 
cessitated finer shooting ; but the third-class, or short-range 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



237 



target, having proved itself to be too difficult for our young 
military and other marksmen, requiring extraordinary skill 
to produce a first-class score, and acting upon some very 
valuable suggestions submitted by Gen. Shaler, it was de- 
cided to abolish one numerical count per shot, bullseye, 
centre, inner, and outer. 

The Creedmoor targets with the second measurements, 
however, became popular and were almost universally used 
by American rifle clubs for several years after their adop- 
tion. These targets are illustrated and have the following 
dimensions : — 



I 


v3 


z 



Fig. 171. 

First-class, 6x12 feet. 
Bullseye, circular, 36 inches in diameter. 
Centre " 54 " " 

Inner, square, 6x6 feet. 
Outer, remainder of target. 





Fig. 172. 

Second-class, 6 x 6 ft. 
Bullseye, circular, 22 ins. in diam. 
Centre " 3S " " 

Inner " 54 " " 

Outer, remainder of target. 



Fig. 173. 

Third-class, 6 x 4 ft. 
Bullseye, circular, 8 ins. in diam. 
Centre " 26 " " 

Inner " 46 " " 

Outer, remainder of target. 



Present Creedmoor Targets. 



238 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



An excellent target was designed and adopted by the 
Massachusetts Rifle Association early in its history. It has 
generally been known as the Massachusetts target, and is 
shown in the illustration. Its dimensions are as follows : — 




Count 12 
II 



TARGET 4x6 FEET. 

Bullseye, circular, 4 in. diam. j 
" 8 " ( 

" ^2% " 1 

« 17 



Creedmoor Bullseye. 



Centre. 



1 
I 
\ Inner. 



26 
" 31 
" 36 

41 

« 46 

6x4 feet. Outer. 

Fig. 174. — Massachusetts Target. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



239 



It is an excellent target, and is used to some extent 
to-day; but it^ never attained the popularity it deserved, 
probably because it recorded more accurately than the 
Creedmoor target, and was used at a period when the 
skill of American riflemen in off-hand shooting was much 
below what it was ten years later. Good rifle shots, as 




Fig. 175. — German Ring Target. 



a rule, preferred this target to the Creedmoor ; indifferent 
shots clamored for the latter, because a shot as wide 
of the bullseye as ten inches would count as high on the 
Creedmoor target as if within an inch. But if those shots 
were on the Massachusetts target, the former shot would 
count 10, and the latter 7. The Creedmoor targets being 
the ones adopted by the National Rifle Association, and 
the Massachusetts target being the same size as the 
third-class or off-hand target, and some of its rings corre- 
sponding with the lines on the third-class Creedmoor 



240 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



target, permitting Creedmoor or Massachusetts count, 
rifle clubs frequently had the two targets on their ranges ; 
and for a period of about ten years these two targets 
were chiefly used by American rifle clubs following the 
National Rifle Association rules. 

There are many rifle clubs in America that do not- 
shoot under the rules and regulations of the National 
Rifle Association, and the targets used by them are gen- 
erally different from those authorized by that organization. 
Some of these clubs existed before the National Rifle 
Association was formed. Their members, as a rule, use 
fine-sighted rifles, — frequently set-triggers, palm-rests, 
and other devices, — which are not, or were not until 
recently, permitted by the National Rifle Association. 
The targets used vary, but they are generally made up 
of a series of rings. The German ring target is perhaps 
as popular as any of the old ring targets ; it has a bullseye 
12 inches in diameter. The whole target, including bulls- 
eye, is divided into circles ^ inches apart, the centre 
circle being ij^ inches, and counting from 25 down. 

Another ring target, which was popular at one time in 
this country, had the following measurement : — 



Count 12 
II 



RING TARGET, 2X2 FEET. 

Bullseye, circular, 2 inches diameter. 

"4 " 
6 " 



14 
16 
18 



At many of the large shooting festivals, especially if 
the German-American riflemen are prominently connected 
with them, there are often a variety of targets used, with 
some of which the element of luck has something to do 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 24I 

with a person's score. The Man target is sometimes used, 
and the illusjtration shows it in a reduced form. The 
whole of the target is black, the lines are }^ inch apart, 
the centre counting 20, and the numbers run down to one 
on each side. 

The Eagle target has been used for years at German 
and Swiss festivals, and has been introduced into this 




Fig. 176. — Man Target. 

country. One is illustrated which has been used by the 
Rochester Schiitzen Gilde at Rochester, N. Y., at its 
tournaments. This organization is composed of German 
and American riflemen. The Eagle target is fastened to 
the top of a pole 40 feet from the ground. It is made 
of wood, handsomely painted, and is 9 feet high by 12 
feet wide, and is composed of 18 parts or sections, firmly 
dowelled together. These parts are numbered, and con- 
testants endeavor to shoot them off. The single parts 
are of i-inch pine; one ^-inch dowel holds them in the 



242 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

joint of the 3-inch body shield, which must be hit to drop. 
If the wrong piece drops, the piece falls back to the 
treasury. A dynamite cartridge is placed in centre of 
body, which is protected by an 8-inch iron plate, with 
^-inch hole for centre, in which is a blank cartridge to 
ignite the dynamite for exploding the body. In order 
that the reader may clearly understand the modes of 
determining the value of successful shots on this target, 
I append an extract from a programme of the above 
organization showing the order in which the single parts 
shall be shot off : — 



I. 


Ball of centre crown. 


10. 


Szepter. 


2. 


Right small ball. 


II. 


Right head. 


3- 


Left small ball. 


12. 


Left head. 


4- 


Right flag. 


13- 


Right shank. 


5- 


Left flag. 


14. 


Left shank. 


6. 


Crown itself. 


15. 


Right wing. 


7- 


Right ring. 


16. 


Left wing. 


8. 


Left ring. 


17- 


Tail. 


9- 


Reichsapfel. 


18. 


Body. 



In Germany riflemen shoot at a body 2 feet in diame- 
ter, and weigh the splinters. The amount each bullet 
tears off calls for a stipulated amount per weight, and the 
rifleman knocking off the last splinter receives the king 
prize. This latter mode of shooting has not found much 
favor in America. 

There have been many targets in use before and since 
the Creedmoor targets were adopted, a majority of which 
are made up of series of rings, similar to the German ring 
target, but with varying widths of circles, and to which 
various names have been applied ; I will name and briefly 
describe some other targets of uncertain popularity. 

The Point target has a black of 12 inches diameter, 
divided into three parts ; the inner circle is 3 inches 
in diameter, counting 3 points ; the next circle, 6 inches 
in diameter, counting 2 points, and the balance of black, 
counting i point. Shots out of black do not count. 



MODEKiX AMERICAN RIFLES. 243 

Off-hand, 25-ring target ; composed of 6-inch black and 
24 rings, Yz inch apart from centre ; count i to 25. 

Premium off-hand target ; bullseye 4 inch, and black 
with a white ij^ inch centre. A prize for each time the 
white carton is struck. 

A target known as the Stich target has been used at 
some of the German-American festivals in this country. 
It possesses so little merit that it is generally avoided, and 
a desire for variety seems to be the only excuse for its 
existence. This target has a black of 12 inches diameter, 
in the centre of which is placed a bullseye of 6 inches 
diameter ; the balance of the target is white. None but 
bullseye shots count. 

Star target, off-hand ; a clay target 6 inches in diameter. 

There are various targets representing figures of 
persons, animals, and birds, which need only be men- 
tioned, for they savor of very short ranges, and Flobert or 
saloon rifles, and are far from inspiring to the true rifle- 
man. 

The Creedmoor target with a round bullseye was largely 
in use for off-hand shooting by American rifle clubs for 
about ten years. On Oct. 22, 1879, the first ten-shot 
clean score known was made in an off-hand match, and in 
the following year several were recorded. From that 
time forward they were made with great frequency, until 
finally two or more would be made in an afternoon's shoot- 
ing, and runs of 20 or more bullseyes consecutively. In 
contests where experts were numerous, especially if there 
were re-entries permitted, ties would be so frequent that 
much time was consumed in settling them by additional 
shooting. In fact, in certain matches one was obliged to 
secure all bullseyes to gain a position, and a centre shot 
would be no better than a miss. It was generally recog- 
nized that the Creedmoor target was altogether too coarse 
for the modern American match rifles in the hands of 
skilful marksmen. About 1882, riflemen demanded a 



244 



MODEkM AMERICAN RIFLES. 



target with a decimal count, and one which would give 
the advantage of close shots ; it was also urged that the 
lines of the Creedmoor target must be retained in order to 
count either decimally or as Creedmoor. 

With these demands there was nothing to do but 
increase the width of the circles as you receded from the 
bullseye, and acting on this plan a target was designed by 




Fig. 177. —Eagle Target. 



Major Charles W. Hinman, adopted by the Massachusetts 
Rifle Association in 1883, and called the Massachusetts 
Decimal Target-. 

When this target was designed it was known to the 
board of directors that accepted it, that the string meas- 
urement system was by far the most equitable known, 
but it also knew that such a mode of marking could not 
well be adopted at large tournaments. It was aware that 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 245 

a majority of intelligent and skilful American riflemen 
recognized the fact that it required a greater amount of 
skill to place a shot in the centre of the bullseye than on 
the edge, and far better holding was necessary to plant a 
shot within an inch of the bullseye than eight inches 
away from it. It was familiar enough with the skill of 
American rifle shooters to know most of the shots not in 




Fig. 178. — Point Target. 

the bullseyes, especially when re-entry matches were shot, 
would be very near the bullseye, "Vhich indicated that the 
finer circles should be there. In addition to this was the 
demand for a decimal count, and a rapidly growing belief 
that as shots were placed farther away from the bullseye 
the penalty should be increased ; and finally, it was desir- 
able that the lines of the old Creedmoor target be re- 
tained, to permit shooting with match rifle, military rifle, 
or rest shooting. All these points were considered 
by the designer . and board which adopted the decimal 
target. 

This target is so similar in appearance to the Standard 
American target, that in its reduced size, suitable for illus- 



246 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

trating in these pages, it could not be distinguished from 
that target. The dimensions of the target were 4x6 
feet. 

Count. Diameter of Circle. 
10 ) 3^ inches. 

9 > BuUseyes. 5f " 

8) 8 " 

7 loir 

6 I2f " 

5 i6i « 

4 20i 

3 26 

2 33 

I 4r| " 

The Massachusetts Decimal Target was the first in 
America known to the writer, to include the decimal count, 
and the plan of increasing the width of rings from the one 
in the centre of the bullseye. It was used by the Massa- 
chusetts Rifle Association and other clubs for about two 
years. The principle of this target was new to American 
riflemen, but met with favor by a majority of the frater- 
nity. With the somewhat radical change, however, there 
were a number unprepared to indorse it, and freely criti- 
cised it. In 1884 a target was adopted by the Gardner 
Rifle Club at Gardner, Mass., a club famous for its excel- 
lent shots. It was used by a number of rifle clubs, and 
named the American Decimal target. Its count was i to 
10, had an 8-inch bullseye counting 9 and 10. Diameter 
of 10 circle 4 inches; 9 circle 8 inches; each additional 
circle i}i inches apart. 

During the latter part of 1884 and through 1885, the 
target question was in a chaotic state in America. Designs 
were presented with great frequency, and individuals, 
confident that their plan would supply the long-felt want, 
published targets which were placed on trial at rifl.e ranges. 
Some clubs adopted certain targets, while others had a 
variety in use, that riflemen might shoot on the one pre- 
ferred. The result of this multiplicity of targets was an 
inability by riflemen to determine the correct value of 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 247 

scores when reported in the sportsmen's journals. A 
comparison of scores was difficult, and only possible with 
one knowing the measurements of the numerous targets, 
which was well nigh impossible, owing to the increas- 
ing number, and little favor most of the new targets 
received. 

In 1885 The Rifle was first published, and the editor, 
by communicating with every known American rifle club, 
learned that the third-class Creedmoor target was no 
longer favored by a majority of clubs for 200-yard shooting, 
and there was a general desire for a Standard American 
target, in order that riflemen would, on glancing at a 
score, know its value. Clubs and individual riflemen were 
invited to submit designs for a Standard target. It should 
here be stated that some riflemen favored a departure 
from the Creedmoor lines, and submitted designs dis- 
regarding them, as well as the decimal count, but a major- 
ity seemed to favor the plan alluded to previously, of 
combining a decimal and Creedmoor count. For about a 
year The Rifle published meritorious designs and printed 
the views of all riflemen submitting them. The targets 
containing sufficient merit to receive consideration were 
the following : — 

Old targets, in use prior to discussion : Creedmoor tar- 
get ; German Ring target ; Blunt's U. S. Army Elliptical 
target ; Massachusetts target ; Massachusetts Decimal 
target ; American Decimal target. 

The new designs submitted were as follows : Ring tar- 
get, designed by Henry S. Harris, count i to 10 ; bullseye 
9 inches in diameter, count 10, 9, 8 ; diameter of circles 3, 
6, and 9 inches respectively ; diameter of other circles, 7, 
12 inches; 6, 15 inches; 5, 18 inches; 4, 21 inches; 3, 24 
inches ; 2, 27 inches ; i, 30 inches. 

Ring target, by Charles L. Holmes, count i to 20 ; outer 
circle 40 inches in diameter ; each additional ring i inch 
apart ; smallest ring 2 inches in diameter. 



248 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

Decimal target, by F. J. Rabbeth : — 



s 
II 
15 



Count 10 ) Diameter 31^ inches. 

" 9>Bullseye, " ^v, " 

" 8^ 

" 7 
6 

" 5 

4 " 36 

2 " 49 

I "4x6 feet. 

This target was designed in July, 1885, and published in 
the August, 1885, issue of The Rifle. 

Decimal target, by Charles W. Hinman. The dimen- 
sions of this target were as follows : — 



DIAMETER OF CIRCLES. 

"Iseye. 



10 circle, 3.36 inches. ) 

> Bulls 



9 ' 

8 ' 


'. l"" 


7 ' 
6 ' 


' II 
' 14.80 


5 ' 
4 ' 


' 19.68 
' 26 


3 ' 

2 ' 


' 34-22 

44.96 



WIDTH OF 


RINGS 


9, 1.09 in 
8, 1.23 


ches. 


7. 1-50 
6, 1.90 




5. 2.44 
4, 3- 16 




3. 4-" 




2, 5-37 





I Balance of target, 4x6 feet. 

The 8, 9, and 10 comprise the Creedmoor bullseye ; 4, 5, 
6, and 7 the centre, counting 4. 

Farrow target, by W. Milton Farrow. Size 4 feet square ; 
count 10 down to 2; bullseye contains three circles, count- 
ing 10, 9, 8, the inner circle being three inches in diame- 
ter ; 7, 6, 5, and 4 circles represent the centre of Creedmoor 
target, the 4 circle corresponding to that line on Creed- 
moor target, as does also the 3 circle ; the 2 count repre- 
sented the balance of target. 

Decimal ring target, by W. T. Whitford ; size of target 
4x6 feet ; count 10 to 2 ; diameter of rings 3, 5, 8, 12^, 
i8}4, 26, 35, and 46 respectively. 

Decimal ring target, by " White Carton ; " 48 inches 
square ; count 10 to i ; outer ring 46 inches, same as 



MODERX AMERICAN RIFLES. 



249 



Creedmoor three ring ; 10 ring, 3^ inches in diameter; 
width of other rings as follows : — 

9, iX ; 8. 1 ; 7. I ; 6, ij4 ; S. i^ ; 4, ^-K ; 3. 2^; 2, 334: ; i, 6^. Bulls- 
eye 10 inches in diameter, with a 6-inch white centre. 

Byran target, by John M. Byran ; target 4x6 feet. 

Bullseye circular, 8 inches diameter, count 5 

Inner centre circular, 16 " " "4 

Centre " 28 " " " 3 

Inner " 46 " " " 2 

Outer " remainder of target. 

Decimal ring target, by Mat. Gindele ; similar to Hin- 
man and Rabbeth design, with slight difference in diameter 
of rings. 

After a full discussion of the merits of the above tar- 
gets, a circular was addressed to every known club in 
America, asking their choice for a 200-yard, off-hand tar- 
get, and if they would adopt the target chosen by a major- 
ity of the clubs, and notification given, to forward their 
votes before January i, 1886. The following responses 
were received. 

Arlington Heights Rifle Club, Arlington Heights, Mass. ; members, 18. 
Choice, the one designed by Chas. W. Hinman, and illustrated on page 8 of 
the August Rifle. Are willing to adopt any target chosen by the majority 
of American riflemen, provided the Creedmoor lines are retained as a basis. 
— Clarence T. Parsons, Sec'y. 

Ashburnham Rifle Club, Ashburnham, Mass. ; membership, 8. Choice, 
Hinman target. — F. H. Parker, .Sdr'j'. 

Baldwinsville Rifle Club, Baldwinsville, N. Y. ; membership, 15. Choice, 
the American Decimal target. Willing to adopt the target chosen by the 
majority. — S. C. Snydam, .S^i^'j'. 

Bellevue Rifle Club, Bellevue, Ky. ; membership, 31. Choice, Massa- 
chusetts target. Expect to adopt the target chosen by the majorit}-. 
Chas. B. Scherrer, Sec^y. 

Bellevue Rifle Club, Bellevue, Ohio; membership, 9. Choice, Farrow 
target, on the Creedmoor target. — H. Eberthauser, Sec^y. 

Berdan Rifle Corps, Milton, Mass.; membership, 15. Choice, Hinman 
target, provided it is printed complete or in parts, otherwise the Farrow 
target. Willing to adopt the target chosen by the majority. — M. A. 
King, Sec'y, 



250 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

Bismarck Gun Club, Bismarck, Dakota ; membership, 60. Are willing to 
cast their vote in favor of the target having the majority. — W. H. 
Williamson, Vice-Pres't. 

Brattleboro Rifle Club, Brattleboro, Vt. ; membership. 51. Choice, Farrow 
target, with an outer 4x6 feet. — A. E. Knight, Sec'y. 

Canton Rifle Club, Collinsville, Conn.; membership, 10. Choice, Massa- 
chusetts target. Not willing to say they will adopt the target chosen by the 
majority. — S. J. Lyon, ^'c.rjj'. 

Chautauqua Sportsmen's Association, Jamestown, N. Y. ; membership, 
6. Choice, Massachusetts (modified) target. Commencing at the present 
time with lo, and ending with i. Will adopt the target chosen by the 
majority. — A. F. Ward, M.D., ^'^rjj'. 

Cincinnati Rifle Association, Cincinnati, Ohio; membership, 52 Choice, 
Massachusetts target. Bullseye count 11 and 12. 8 inches in diameter. 
Prefer the above ; but certainly must abide by the choice of the majority, as 
we wish to use the standard. — Al. Bandle, Sec^y. 

Cocheco Rifle and Gun Club, Dover, N. H. ; membership, 15. Choice, 
Hinman target. Willing to adopt the target chosen by the majority. — W. 
S. Bradley, Sec'y. 

East Tennessee Rifle Association, Knoxville, Tenn. ; membership, 20. 
Choice, Massachusetts target. Are willing to adopt the target chosen by 
the majority. — Charles C. \Iy.v,'Rk^t>, Sec^y. 

Elgin National Rifle Club, Elgin, 111. ; membership, 44. Choice, Hinman 
target. We are willing to adopt the target receiving the largest number of 
votes. — H. A. Wyman, ^d't-y. 

Gardner Rifle Club, Gardner, Mass.; membership, 29. Choice, Hinman 
target. Willing to adopt the target chosen by the majority. — G. C. 
Goo dale, Secy. 

Haverhill Rifle Club, Haverhill, Mass. ; membership, 30. Choice, Rab- 
beth target. Willing to adopt the target chosen by the majority. — J. P. M. 
Green, Sec'y. 

Hillside Rifle Club, Waltham, Mass.; membership, 23. First choice, for 
the Hinman target; second choice, the Farrow target, or one including the 
Three-Ring or Creedmoor target. Willing to use the target chosen by a 
majority of American riflemen. — W. H. Stone, ^'if^'j. 

Irish Rifle Club, New Haven, Conn. ; membership, 25. Choice, Farrow 
target, excepting the height. Willing to adopt the target chosen by the 
majority if it corresponds to the size of the Creedmoor target, and has lines 
to correspond with the two, three, and four line, and an eight-inch circle in 
the black. — P. O'Connor, Sec'y. 

Lake View Rifle Club, Lake View, 111. ; membership, 36. Choice, Farrow 
target. — W. H. Bradley, i",?!:'/. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 25 I 

Lawrence Rifle Club, Lawrence* Mass. ; membership, 63. Choice, the 
Hinman target. This club will use target agreed upon if its use is general. 
— J. E. Shepherd, iiecy. 

Leominster Rifle Club, Leominster, Mass. ; membership, 8. Choice, 
Hinman target. Would recommend that the Creedmoor lines be retained. 
Willing to adopt the target chosen by the majority. — Charles A. Joslin, 

Sec^. 

Lockey Rifle Club, Leominster, Mass. ; membership, 10. Choice, Hin- 
man target; but would prefer retaining all the Creedmoor lines. Will adopt 
the target chosen by the majority. — H. R. Davis, Sec^y. 

Manchester Rifle Association, Manchester, N. H. ; membership, 50. 
Choice, first, Hinman target; second, Rabbeth target. Willing to adopt 
the target chosen by the majority. — A. E. Knowlton, Sec'y. 

Massachusetts Rifle Association, Boston, Mass. ; membership, 177. 
Choice, Hinman target. Will adopt a target chosen by a majority of votes 
cast. — James E. Leach, Sec''y. 

Maynard Rifle Club, Chicopee Falls, Mass. ; membership, 38. Choice, 
Hinman target. Willing to adopt a target chosen by the majority. — W. S. 
Page, Sec'y. 

Merrimac Rifle Club, Merrimac, Mass. ; membership, 12. Choice, Hin- 
man target. Will adopt the target chosen by the majority. — F. Judkins, 
Sec'y. 

Minneapolis Rifle Club, Minneapolis, Minn. ; membership, 25. First 
choice, Hinman target; second choice, Rabbeth target. Will not say they 
will adopt the target chosen by the majority, unless it be one of the above 
named. — C. M. Skinner, Sec'y pro tern. 

Money Creek Rifle Club, Money Creek, Minn. ; membership, 12. Choice, 
Hinman target. Willing to adopt the target chosen by the majority. — 
E. N. Berry, Sec'y. 

Moran Rifle Club, Morantown, Kansas ; membership, 10. Choice, first, 
Hinman ; second, Farrow ; third, Rabbeth. Will adopt the target chosen 
by the majority. — C. J. Norton, Sec'y. 

National Rifle Association, New York; membership, 450. Choice, Hin- 
man target, provided the outer ring shall be made to conform to the inner 
line upon the Creedmoor target. — John S. Shepherd, Sec'y. 

New York Rifle Club, New York, N.Y. ; membership, 42. Choice, 
Hinman target; second choice, Rabbeth target. We advocate an ii-inch 
bullseye. We are willing to adopt the target chosen, provided that the 
Creedmoor lines are retained. — James Duane, Capt. 



252 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

Nimrod Rifle Club, Newark, N.J. ; membership, 32. Choice, Creed- 
moor target. Willing to adopt target chosen by the majority. — C. R. 
Brown, Sec'y. 

Pittsburgh Rifle Club, Pittsburgh, Pa. ; membership, 32. First choice, 
Hinman target ; second choice, Rabbeth target. Will use the target chosen 
by the majority. — J. B. Jones, Sec^y. 

Pontiac Rifle Club, Pontiac, Mich. ; membership, 26. Choice is unani- 
mous that a standard target should be adopted, and are willing to accept 
that designated by the majority. — W. G. Elliott, Sec^. 

Rod and Gun Club, Springfield, Mass. ; membership, 45. Choice, Far- 
row target. Are willing to abide by the decision of the majority of rifle- 
men for a standard target. Our second choice is the Massachusetts target. 

— T. T. Cartwright, Sec'y. 

Salem Independent Rifle Association, Salem, Mass. ; membership, 25. 
Choice, Hinman target. In all probability will adopt the target chosen by 
the majority. — C. F. Steele, Sec^. 

Saratoga Rifle Club, Saratoga, N.Y. ; membership, 34. Choice, Hinman 
target. Willing to adopt the target chosen by the majority. — Wm. H. 
Gibes, Sec'y. 

Savannah Rifle Association, Savannah, Ga. ; membership, 139. Choice, 
Byran target. Do not care to commit themselves to adopt the target chosen 
by the majority. — Jno. M. Byran, Sec'y. 

Springfield Shooting and Fishing Club; rifle members, 20. Choice. 
Farrow target, as described in your issue of September, 1885. Will accept 
the target chosen by the majority. — E. E. Peters, Sec'y. 

Third Division Rifle Association, Albany, N.Y. ; membership, 128. 
Choice, Farrow target, adding the outer ring and making the target 6x 4 to 
correspond to the present Creedmoor. Willing to adopt the target chosen 
by the majority. — William E. Fitch, Sec'y. 

Topeka Rifle Club, Topeka, Kan. ; membership not given. Choice, Hin- 
man target. Willing to adopt the target chosen by the majority. — F. H. 
Martin, Sec'y. 

Wheeling Schiitzen-Verein, Wheeling, West Va. ; membership, 25. First 
choice, Farrow target; second choice, Hinman target, with the understand- 
ing that we are satisfied with the target the National Rifle Association 
adopts. — E. S. SCHEUFLER, Sec'y. 

Worcester Rifle Association, Worcester, Mass. ; membership, 21. 
Choice, Hinman target. Voted to adopt the target selected by the majority. 

— M. G. Fuller, Sec'y. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 253 

In the January issue of TJic Rifle, the American rifle 
clubs recorded their votes for a Standard American target, 
the result being as follows : — 

Total number of votes cast 1,951 

Number of votes for specified targets I1865 

Hinman t,arget ......... 1,161 

Farrow target . 339 

Byrau target 139 

Massachusetcs tai-get . . . . - . . . 113 

Massachusetts (modified) target 36 

Creedmoor target ........ 32 

Rabbeth target 30 

American Decimal target . ...... 15 

Additional votes requested to be recorded with the favored target 86 

One club voted for the Hinman target without giving 
its number of members. The vote by clubs : — 

Total number of clubs voting 43 

Hinman target ......... 24 

Farrow target ......... 8 

Massachusetts target ........ 4 

Massachusetts (modified) target ...... 

By ran target • . . . .- . 

Rabbeth target ......... 

Creedmoor target ... . . .... 

American Decimal target ....... 

Two clubs requested their votes to be recorded with the 
one receiving a majority of votes, and are not included in 
the above. 

The small number of votes for the Rabbeth target, 
which possessed great merit, was because the designer, in 
an article in The Rifle, admitted the superiority of Major 
Hinman's. 

After the above vote was announced, circulars were 
addressed to all of the known rifle clubs, asking if they fa- 
vored changing the outer circle of the chosen target from 
22.48 to one of 23 inches radius, which would be retaining 
all the old Creedmoor lines, and also if they approved call- 
ing the chosen design the Standard American target. 
Every club replying approved of the changes, and the tar- 
get was published as illustrated, and ever since its adoption 
has been used by most American rifle clubs. As a result 



WIDTH OF 


RINGS, 


9, 1.09 inches. 


8, 1.23 




7. 1-50 
6, 1.90 




5, 2.44 
4, 3-i6 




3 4- 1 1 
2 5-89 





254 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

of a majority of clubs using one target, members of the 
rifle shooting fraternity are able to correctly judge the 
value of each other's scores made in various sections of 
the country. 

The present dimensions of the Standard American tar- 
get are as follows : — 

DIAMETER OF CIRCLES. 
10 circle, 3.36 inches. 

9 " S-54 " 

8 " 8 

7 " II 

6 " 14.80 " 

5 " 19.6S " 

4 " 26 " 

3 " 34-22 " 

2 " 46 

I Balance of target, 4x6 feet. 

The 8, 9, and 10 comprise the Creedmoor bullseye ; 4, 
5, 6, 7 the centre, counting 4 ; 2 and 3 the Creedmoor 
inner, counting 3. The i same as the outer, counting 2. 

After a year's discussion of the target question, and a 
vote of all the known American rifle clubs, and the final 
adoption of a standard target, the American Field issued 
a target almost similar to Mr. F. J. Rabbeth's design, 
there being but one or two lines in the bullseye differing, 
and embodying the principles orginated by Major Hin- 
man. The centre of this target has the following measure- 
ments : diameter of rings, ist ring, 2 inches, counting 11, 
used only for rest shooting ; 2d, 4 inches, counting 10 ; 3d, 
6 inches, counting 91 ; 4th, 8 inches, counting 8 ; 5th, 11 
inches, counting/; 6th, 15 inches, counting 6 ; 17th, 20 
inches, counting 5 ; 8th, 26 inches, counting 4. It will be 
seen that the rings outside the bullseye are similar to 
Mr. Rabbeth's target, which was produced long before, so 
similar in fact, that it is known among riflemen as the 
Rabbeth-Field target. 

The American riflemen were apparently satisfied with 
the standard target, for, after it was adopted, it was used 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



255 



exclusively by nearly all the American rifle clubs, and 
never before in the history of rifle shooting in America 
have so many clubs at one period shot on a similar target. 




Fig. 179. —The Standard American Target. Adopted by a majority of American Rifle 
Clubs, January, 1886. 

When the Standard American target was adopted, it was 
thought it would answer for off-hand and rest shooting ; 
but, when the latter style of shooting was practiced, 
the clubs permitted rifles of any weight and trigger 
pull, also any kind of sights ; besides this, the skill of 



256 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

American riflemen developed so rapidly in rest shooting 
that the possible of 100 points was made so frequently 
as to make it somewhat uninteresting. Several scores of 
100 were made at Walnut Hill in a single day (50 perfect 
scores are on record), and Mr. F. J. Rabbeth scored a run 
of 37 consecutive tens in a regular match at this place. 
In May, 1887, the Massachusetts Rifle Association made 
the target still finer by placing two circles inside of the 
ten circle, counting 11 and 12; they were 2.33 and 1.41 
inches in diameter. A majority of riflemen seem to be 
satisfied with the 8-inch bullseye at 200 yards. A few, 
however, claim to prefer a smaller one, and a number call 
for a larger one. In some cases the 7 circle on the Stand- 
ard American target is blackened and the bullseye thus 
increased in size. 

In 1888, Mr. William Hayes, the well-known rifleman of 
Newark, N. J., designed and published a target which he 
named the American Champion target. This target has a 
round, black bullseye of 10 inches in diameter, containing 
circles i inch apart, counting from 15 down to ii ; the 
balance of target is white, containing circles i inch apart, 
counting from 10 down to i. Mr. Hayes, in submitting 
the target for approval to American riflemen, wrote to 
The Rifle as follows: "The reason for originating this 
target is simply this : I believe American riflemen have 
become so proficient with rifles under the National Rifle 
Association rules, that they need a target with a finer 
discrimination than even the Standard gives them, and 
realizing the fact that an 8-inch bullseye is too small, 
under many circumstances, to sight at readily, and know- 
ing that a lo-inch object to aim at is very satisfactory at 
200 yards, I submit this target, trusting it will meet with 
their approbation. The carton, of 2 inches diameter, is 
small enough for the best of rifles, even from a rest, and 
the circles of i inch space give a shooter a relative value 
for each shot that a laro^er division does not ^ive. In 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 257 

fact, it brings the shooting down to approximately string 
measurement, which undoubtedly is the correct test for all 
rifle shooting. In making this target I do not in any way 
wish to interfere with the Standard or the Rabbeth-Field 
targets, but trust it will at least make a pleasant variety 
for shooters who have heretofore been using no others." 

The targets previously described, as used by American 
riflemen, are those adopted by the National Rifle Associa- 
tion of America and clubs shooting under its rules, and for 
military rifles or match rifles ; also, targets used largely 
for match rifles in rest or off-hand shooting. There are 
innumerable designs used for gallery rifle shooting, which 
are only printed in small sizes, generally similar in con- 
struction to the ring targets, and are not sufficiently 
important to warrant illustration or description. 

In 1885, several targets for military rifles exclusively, 
were designed by Captain Stanhope E. Blunt, of the U. S. 
Ordnance Department, Inspector of Rifle Practice at 
Headquarters of the Army. They corresponded in size 
to the first, second, and third class Creedmoor targets ; but 
in place of the round bullseyes were ellipses, the centre 
and inner lines on the second and third class targets were 
also ellipses, as was the centre line on the first-class tar- 
get. The illustrations shows these targets : — 

When it was announced that the elliptical targets were 
to be used by the soldiers of the regular army in rifle 
practice, it caused some consternation among civilian rifle- 
men, and probably more among the volunteers, for many 
of the latter desired to follow the rules and regulations of 
the regular army in this branch of a soldier's duty, but 
were loath to adopt the elliptical bullseye and lines. A 
delegation from the National Rifle Association proceeded 
to Washington, with the object of urging the regular 
army officials to abandon the elliptical form and retain the 
circular one. It was found that the representatives of 
the regular army and those of the volunteers entertained 



258 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

different ideas as to the best form, and as nothing could 
be gained by argument, the matter was dropped. The 
entire army commenced practicing on the new elliptical 





f\ 




4^ 


■;- 




.r 

1 
1 




1 
1 


\^^^ 








Fig. ISO. 



Fig. 182. -U. S. Elliptical Targets.^ 

targets, followed by one or two States ; but the majority of 
the guardsmen continued the use of the Creedmoor targets. 
Captain Blunt, in his excellent manual, states that, " As 
targets used by the armies of different foreign nations are 
widely dissimilar, both in the shape and the number and 



* The illustrations are from Small-Arms Firing, Blunt, and published by permission of 
Captain Blunt and Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, publishers. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 259 

size of their various divisions, it is not possible, even if it 
were considered desirable, to so arrange the targets for 
our service that any comparison can be instituted between 
the practice of our soldiers and those of any one foreign 
country." He therefore selected what he thought the best 
shape and proportions " suggested by the natural variation 
of the U. S. Springfield rifle, by the average degree and 
direction of the proficiency desired from and by the 
soldier and by the distance considered sufficient for his 
instruction." Those desiring an explanation of Captain 
Blunt's designs are referred to his work. 

The soldiers of the United States Army use these 
targets because they are compelled to. The States using 
them are those desiring to follow the example of the 
regulars, but the mass of American riflemen prefer the 
Creedmoor form. An elliptical bullseye is difficult to 
paint on an iron target, and almost impossible to keep in 
shape. The merits or demerits have been fully discussed 
in military and sportsmen's papers. Suffice to say they 
are the adopted targets of the United States Army, and 
strictly military targets. At the time of the introduction 
of the elliptical target, there was a series of silhouette 
targets devised and introduced by Captain Blunt, which 
reflect the highest credit upon the originator, and, in the 
opinion of the writer, should be adopted whenever the 
volunteers seek to acquire a practical proficiency with 
the national arm. 

It is creditable to the volunteer who acquires sufficient 
skill to enable him, with the Springfield rifle, to pit him- 
self against the civilian rifleman with a fine match rifle 
on the Standard American target, and surpass him. It 
has been repeatedly done at Springfield, Walnut Hill, 
Mass., and elsewhere. It excites admiration from all 
lovers of rifle shooting, to see the regular or militiaman 
so proficient as to be able to place nearly all his shots in 
the circular or elliptical bullseye at known distance. 



26o 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



This skill is praiseworthy and desirable ; but when one 
witnesses a national or State rifle competition, and ob- 
serves a soldier taking aim several times before firing, 
consuming many minutes to a shot, it is likely to suggest 
the query : How much practical value is such practice to 
a soldier? Evidently Captain Blunt understands this. 
I consider his silhouette targets the greatest innovation in 
military rifle shooting this country has seen in the present 



Fig.l 




Fig.Z 




Fig. 183 and 184. — U. S. Army Man Targets. 

century, for they teach the soldier to shoot rapidly, which 
is generally necessary in warfare. 

Targets D, E, and F are usually iron skeleton frames 
representing a soldier standing, kneeling, or lying prone ; 
they are covered with cloth, colored black, and designed 
to be shot at by the soldier at unknown distance, the 
soldier firing as many shots as possible within a specified 
time. Target G is for company skirmish firing, and target 
H for volley firing. 

The silhouette targets, designed by Captain Blunt, 
appeal to all practical men, and have several times sug- 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



261 



gested to the writer the desirability of somewhat similar 
targets for practice, by those who hunt with a rifle. 
With the exception of the silhouette army targets, nearly 
all shown in this series contain a black spot of varying 
size, at which the marksman aims, generally at a known 




TARGET G. 

Fig. 185. — Company Skirmish Firing. 



distance. Such targets have their uses, and will always 
be more popular than others. But many believe that 
if one desires to hunt, and wishes to be trained to shoot- 
ing at objects somewhat similar to game, they should 
select for a target objects similar to what they will be 
likely to find in the chase. 

In England, regular competitions are held at the 
National Rifle Association meetings, formerly at Wimble- 
don, now Bisley, shooting at moving objects resembling 
deer. A running deer target was presented to the 
National Rifle Association of America by the Winchester 




TARGET H. 

Fig. 186. —Volley and File Firing. 



Repeating Arms Company, and it was popular for a time, 

but the great army of American riflemen seemed to prefer 

a stationary object at which to shoot at a known distance. 

In an issue of Shooting and FisJiing, April 24, 1890, 



262 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

there appeared an article by the writer, suggesting targets 
for hunters, which brought several letters of approval, 
which seemed to indicate that the idea was appreciated 
by many. It also met with some criticism, on the ground 
that the targets were unlike game, which would often be 
seen but for a second. The idea of those targets was not 
to place the shooter under similar conditions as when 
shooting game ; that would be well nigh impossible, but 
it would embody some of the conditions, and, to some 
extent, in teaching a sportsman how to place shots at a 
desired point. 

The article referred to is as follows : — 

A suggestion has been made by Mr. William Lyman 
that a target for hunting rifles is desirable. I quite agree 
with him, and believe if one was produced which gave 
satisfaction, it would increase the number of rifle shooters, 
and give an opportunity for many who shoot only the 
hunting rifle, to practice on a target, which to a certain 
extent resembles the game shot at in the field. At the 
present time we have in the Standard American target I 
believe, the best one ever used for small bore target rifle 
shooting ; but it is in no way similar to the game likely to 
be shot at, and while I would not like to see it abandoned, 
and there is not the slightest probability that it will, I 
would like to see the experiment of shooting at a target 
resembling game. I have for several years intermittingly 
thought of such a target, and wondered how it could be 
produced and give satisfaction. Mr. Lyman's suggestion 
has again aroused my interest to such an extent, that I 
will venture to offer my ideas, hoping they will meet the 
approval of riflemen who shoot hunting rifles, or bring 
forth sugo-estions for a better target. 

The United States Army uses silhouette targets of men 
standing and kneeling or sitting, which are well enough 
for military marksmen, and perhaps appropriate for 
soldiers to shoot at ; but the targets for sportsmen should 



MODERX AMERICAiV RIFLES. 



263 



represent some kind of game animal. I have sketched 
two figures, a deer and a jack-rabbit, which occur to me as 
appropriate subjects ; the first to be used at 200, the 
second at 100 yards with rifle. I would suggest the follow- 
ing : The divisions or counts to be as indicated in the 
accompanying sketches ; viz., i, 2, and 3, the latter being 




Fig. 187. — Target for Hunting Rifles. 



where a shot would be likely to be instantly fatal ; the 
2 possibly fatal, and i not likely to be fatal. There might 
be a series of circles if desired, in the heart region, and 
the count increased, but if this were done, the argument 
could be made that a brain or spine shot would be equally 
as fatal as a heart shot ; on the other hand there is never 
the thrill of satisfaction to a sportsman who makes a brain 
shot as when the bullet is placed fairly through the heart, 



264 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



and if the circles were placed in the heart region, count- 
ing say up to 10, the latter to indicate a shot in the centre 
of the heart, it would perhaps suit some sportsmen better. 
I would suggest a target with a background of white, of the 
regulation size at 100 and 200 yards. I would have the out- 
line of the deer or rabbit printed on a dark brown paper, 




Fig. 188. — Target for Hunting Rifles.. 

the outline being one-eighth inch wide, which would serve 
as a guide in cutting out the form of the animal ; inside of 
the figure have the dotted lines, as shown, with the addi- 
tional circles if desired. Cut out the figures, and paste 
them onto the white target so as to leave the figures of 
the animals standing out in contrast to the white back- 
ground, showing no lines, and nothing but the figures to 
aim at. I think such targets would closely resemble the 



MODERN AMERICAN RIELES. 265 

living animals when presenting shots under favorable cir- 
cumstances, and suggest mounting on the square target of 
regulation size for convenience, and to facilitate marking. 
A simple silhouette with no background but the field, 
would be difficult to set up and keep in order, as well as 
mark the value of the shot. I would suggest the follow- 
ing mode of marking : After the shot is fired, the marker, 
stationed in a pit, shall pull dov/n the target, insert a plug 
in the shot-hole, throw up the target ready for the next 
shot, also for the inspection of the shooter, who will see 
the exact location of his shot by aid of the telescope ; the 
marker then to indicate the value of the shot by the clock 
or dial indicator. The next shot can then be fired, the 
target pulled down, the first shot pasted, and the last 
one plugged, and the target thrown up for another shot. 
The line of highest count touched by the bullet to deter- 
mine the value of the shot. 

Rifles permitted — Any rifle and no handicap allowed. 

Positions — Any the conditions of the match called for. 
Off-hand position shall mean standing erect on both feet 
with no artificial rest or support, and in matches where con- 
ditions specify off-hand position, no other position shall be 
permitted. Any position without artificial rest to mean, 
standing, kneeling, sitting, lying in the prone, a back posi- 
tion without artificial rest. 

Sights — Any kind of rear sight, but a front open sight. 

Tifue permitted — Aiming and Firing — A contestant 
not to occupy more than ^ of a minute in aiming and firing 
any single shot. No contestant shall remove the rifle 
from his shoulder to take second sight unless in case of a 
misfire. Any contestant consuming more than yi, minute 
for aiming or for firing any single shot, or who shall remove 
the gun from the shoulder for a second sight or other 
purposes, shall be scored a miss. 

It will be seen that I do not propose any bullseye or ob- 
ject but the animal at which to aim, as it is believed that 



266 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

the value of the shots will largely depend on the skill of 
the shooter, and the practice will be an aid to those who 
hunt with the rifle. 

A strictly hunting rifle could be used on this target, as 
an ivory-tipped front sight would be quite serviceable in 
sighting on the part which if hit would be fatal in a living 
animal, or bring the highest count if a hit on the target. I 
think one of these targets, especially the deer target, would 
be an ornament to any range and afford useful practice 
for sportsmen, and be a welcomed change for many who 
tire of constant shooting on the old regulation targets. 
It will not be convenient to provide for an artificial run- 
ning deer on most ranges, and I think the targets here de- 
scribed may satisfy many. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 26/ 



CHAPTER XXI. 

PREPARING RIFLE AMMUNITION, 

Every person who shoots a rifle, will be likely to some- 
time prepare ammunition. One rarely finds an expert 
rifleman who uses factory cartridges, especially if he shoots 
at target, or where extreme accuracy is desired. Factory, 
made cartridges are expensive, and, however excellent 
when leaving the factories, may rapidly deteriorate by be- 
ing stored in an unfavorable place. Tyros usually shoot 
factory cartridges; the old and skilful marksman rarely 
does. But, beside the questions of economy and more re- 
liability in properly reloaded cartridges, is the necessity of 
reloading when one is located away from the large cities, 
where it is impossible to procure the products of the fac- 
tories. If residing in a section where gun dealers are nu- 
merous, the great variety of cartridges make a very large 
stock necessary, if the dealer would keep a full line, and 
as many of the cartridges would be seldom called for, 
the stock would become old and deteriorate in quality ; 
therefore, only the most called for rim and central-fire car- 
tridges are found in the average gun store. Thus it seems 
necessary for a rifleman, if he desires to economize, to have 
reliable ammunition and be able to supply himself with 
such at will, to possess a knowledge of how to reload rifle 
cartridges. As in every art, there are various views enter- 
tained by different persons, as to the best mode of produ- 
cing good results ; and, not wishing to appear as didactic, I 
will preface my notes by stating that the following direc- 



268 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

tions for reloading cartridges are the result of many years 
of observation and experiment, and, according to my 
views, are the best methods. 

Central-fire shells only should be reloaded ; and, if pos- 
sible, always use solid-head shells. Formerly the solid- 
head shells cost a little more than the folded-head, as there 
were patents on the former; but, the patents having ex- 
pired, the price of the two are now the same. But, as it 
costs less to produce the folded-head shell, the manufac- 
turers are likely to send them in preference to the solid- 
head, unless specified. Folded-head shells are much more 
liable to burst when reloaded than solid-head; therefore, 
always procure the latter if possible. 

The rifleman often purchases factory-loaded cartridges, 
solid-head, and, after shooting them, saves the shells to 
reload. It is presumed that one desiring to reload has 
purchased a set of reloading tools, and we will suppose 
that he has selected a set of the Ideal Manufacturing 
Company's, or the Winchester Company's, both of which 
are shown in the illustrations. The first operation is to re- 
move the exploded primer ; this operation is simple, and 
is as follows : place the decapping plug in the loading 
chamber of the tool, pin outward ; place the shell over it, 
and, by pressing the handles together, the exploded 
primer is removed. The exploded primer can also be re- 
moved by other styles of decappers if preferred. After 
removing primer, place the shells in a vessel, and wash 
thoroughly. Cold water will do, but warm water is better, 
and some use soapsuds or soda water. If desirable to re- 
move the stains from the shells, a little acid may be added 
to the water. If, in decapping, you find a cartridge unex- 
ploded by a misfire, do not attempt to extract the primer 
until you have removed the bullet and powder. After 
washing the shells thoroughly, dry them, but do so by a 
moderate heat, as, if overheated, the temper will be drawn 
from the metal and the strength of the shell impaired. It 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 269 

is important to have the shells thoroughly dried before re- 
loading, especially in the primer pockets, which take the 
fresh primers. Water is likely to remain there, and care 
should be exercised in drying the shells in the pockets and 
inside the shells. 

The next operation is expanding the shell. Unless this 
is done, the tyro is likely to meet with an obstacle. The 
factory-loaded cartridges, especially in the past, were 
crimped, and the mouth of the shell generally reduced by 
the heavy machinery used in seating the bullet, which did 
the seating of the bullet and crimping by one operation. 
I well remember the difficulties I found in attempting to 
reload .cartridges for my hunting rifle, when hunting on 
the plains ; the almost inevitable obstacle encountered by 
every tyro. Firing did not expand the shells sufficiently 
to permit the bullet to enter the mouth of the shell ; neither 
did the decapping operation, which it was advertised to do 
in the old tools. I would attempt to seat the bullet in 
the shell by forcing it in with the tool, and the result 
would be the shaving off of one side of the bullet, or 
squeezing the lead over the shell, which would make 
about as bad looking a cartridge as one could imagine, 
and highly suggestive of inaccuracy. I was forced to de- 
vise a way of expanding the shells, and improvised an ex- 
pander out of one handle of the reloading tool. It did 
the work, but unsatisfactorily. The Ideal Company's tool 
has an arrangement on the outside of the resizing or ball- 
seating chamber, which does the work well, considering 
that all the operations are in one tool, which is what many 
desire for the sake of economy of space when on a hunt- 
ing trip. If a large number of shells are to be reloaded, a 
separate tool in the form of a swage is recommended, 
by the use of which and a blow of a mallet, the shell is 
expanded. 

After expanding the shells, comes the operation of recap- 
ping or repriming. Note on the box of factory cartridges 



270 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



which you originally purchased, or the box containing the 
new empty shells, the number of the primer recommended 
for use, and, if possible, use no other. I have seen acci- 
dents caused by using 
a smaller sized primer 
than is recommended. 
Primers are made of 
brass and copper. The 
copper are more sensi- 
tive, or easier to explode, 
than the brass. In re- 
priming, the former fre- 
quently explode; sometimes the brass ones do so; there- 
fore, remember, never prime a loaded shell, and do not 
have powder about which is exposed, when priming shells. 
Owing to the sensitiveness of the copper primers, it is not 
advisible to use them in shells to be used in a magazine 
rifle, or a rifle shell using over 50 grains of powder. If 




Fig. 189. 



-Sectional Cuts of Die, Plunger, and 
Shell. 




Fig. 190. — Winchester Reloading Tool, Model 1891. 

copper primers are used in a shell taking a heavy charge, 
the firing-pin of the rifle is liable to puncture the primer 
(the copper being softer than brass), and an escape of gas is 
liable to occur, perhaps injuring the eyes of the rifleman, 
fouling the mechanism of the rifle, and, in some rifles, 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



271 



preventing the opening of the action. Just here will be 
shown again the superiority of solid-head shells. It is 
necessary to seat the primer well down in the pocket of 
the shell, for, if not so seated, it is likely to cause mis- 




Fig. 191. — Winchester Reloading Tools. 



fires ; and if protruding beyond the head of the shell, is 
liable to cause a premature discharge when closing the 
action of the rifle. If folded-head shells are used, by 
seating the primer well down into the pocket there is in- 
sufficient support, and, after reloading a few times, the 



272 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



pocket is liable to break away and cause a misfire, or a 
spitfire if the primer is exploded. In repriming, I have 
alluded to the desirability of seating the primer well down 
in the pocket. To do this, many prefer a special or sep- 
arate capper, but if economy of space, before mentioned, 
is desired, the Ideal and Winchester tools do the work 
well, but perhaps not so rapidly. 




A— Opening Month of Sbell. B— Bullet Mould. 
C— Ee-CappiDg. D— Loading Chamber. E— Bullet Slzer. 
Fig. 192. — Ideal No 4 Reloading Tool. 



The shells of the factory cartridges are now, restored 
to the condition of the new shells which perhaps some 
have purchased instead of the loaded cartridges. The 
next operation is to charge the shell with powder. Gener- 
ally the advice given on the cartridge box is good, and 
should be followed. As there is a difference in the brand- 
ing of powders by the several companies, I will state for 
the benefit of the uninitiated that fine-grained powders 
are used in cartridges for small calibre rifles and in pistol 
cartridges. In the first case, greater power is contained 
in small measured charges of fine than in coarse powder. 
In pistols, owing to the short barrels, it is desirable to 
secure quick combustion, which is gained in small-grained 
powders, and, therefore, greater power is secured from a 
charge of fine-grain powder during the time the bullet is 
passing out of the short barrel than would be if coarse 
powder were used. In a rifle with a large bore and long 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



273 



Si 



barrel, slower combustion is desirable, and, therefore, 
coarser powder is preferred. But in powders, the strength 
is also varied by the ingredients ; and, as a rule, greater 
accuracy is obtained from the slower- 
burning powders ; but the investigating 
or experimental hunter or marksman 
sometimes departs from general rules. 

In charging the shells with powder, 
the scoop coming with the set of tools 
may be used, pouring a small quantity 
of powder into a receptacle which per- 
mits of its being readily scooped. Dip 
the scoop full of powder, scraping the 
top off even, and pour into each empty 
shell. If one is to reload many shells, 
a Wilkinson loader, or a similar device 
is recommended. It is desirable to 
have the tunnel or powder receptacle 
covered ; and, therefore, many riflemen 
using the Wilkinson loader discard the 
usual powder holder, and attach a flask 
or ordinary powder can in its place. 
The rifleman should be careful about 
permitting the charger to become empty, 
as an accident may result from this 
cause in the following manner : The 
charger becoming nearly empty, would 
deposit but a few grains of powder in 
the shell, or, perhaps, the charger being 
entirely empty, no powder would pass 
into the shell. Without noticing the absence of powder, 
a bullet would be placed in the shell and seated with the 
ball-seater. This shell, if placed in the magazine of a re- 
peating rifle, would be carried into the chamber, and the 
hammer falling and striking the primer, the gas would 
probably force the bullet part way up the barrel, and. 



H 



"H 



Fig. 193.— Ideal Flask. 



274 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

lodging there, would, upon the discharge of a second cart- 
ridge, burst the barrel. If used in a single shot rifle, it 
might be thought that the marksman had forgotten to 
remove the old shell ; or, not thinking the bullet had 
lodged in the barrel, insert a fresh cartridge, which would 
burst the barrel. Cases such as described, and from this 
cause, have come under my observation. 

After charging each shell with powder, place a bullet 
in each shell, and, placing the shell containing the loosely- 
seated bullet in the seater of the tool, bring the handles 
of the tool together with a steady pressure, which is so 
arranged that the bullet can be seated to any desired 
point. I would advise any one desiring to secure as 
accurate shooting as possible, to seat the bullet, and crimp 
it as little as possible. When cartridges are to be used 
in magazine rifles, it is desirable to have the bullets well 
seated below all the cannelures, and crimped firmly. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 2/5 



CHAPTER XXII. 

THE ART OF BULLET MAKING. 

In a former chapter I gave directions for reloading rifle 
ammunition, based upon my own experience and observa- 
tions. Some riflemen do not care to undertake the task 
of bullet making, but there are many who are obliged to, 
owing to their remoteness from the supply depots, or to 
the rifles they possess taking a bullet difficult to procure. 
In addition to this, there is a well-founded belief that 
different rifles, although of the same calibre and of the 
same make, and using the same charge, will shoot best 
a certain bullet of a special degree of hardness, taking a 
specified thickness of patch, and of a particular size. 

Bullets best adapted, and in general use to-day for 
target and game shooting, are chiefly composed of lead, 
with some alloy to harden them, the alloy being largely 
governed by the powder charge and purpose for which the 
cartridge is intended. 

The two kinds of bullets in general use are the patched 
or jacketed bullets, and the naked or cannelured bullets. 
Bullets, as a rule, are cast by riflemen who make them for 
their own use. Manufacturers of ammunition usually 
cast slugs, and, by heavy machinery, swage the bullets 
into shape, this being the case especially with small 
bullets. But swaging is difficult with bullets of a certain 
degree of hardness, and, with many, undesirable if not 
impossible ; and as this article is for the use of those 
desiring to make bullets in a limited number, I will not 
attempt anything but a description of bullet molding. 



276 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

The molds supplied by rifle and tool makers are in- 
tended either for patched or cannelured bullets. For the 
former the mold is often in a solid piece ; for the latter, on 
account of the cannelures, the mold is pivoted together ; 
this form is also used for casting the patched bullet. 
Until recently, the molds to be found in American 
markets were inferior, and difficult to operate and secure 
good bullets from. Iron and steel molds were largely in 
use, but latterly brass or composition, although a little 
more expensive, have become popular. Iron molds will 
stand rougher usage, especially in the hands of novices, 
but they are liable to rust. Brass or composition molds 
will not rust, the lead flows into them better, but they are 
more likely to become injured, being softer. If a mold 
that opens is preferred, select one, if possible, that is 
joined together like a pair of pincers, or between the 
handles and molds, and not like a nut-cracker. It is 
necessary, in small molds, that the handles be protected 
by wooden handles, rubber tubing, or wound with cord or 
cloth, to prevent burning the hands. The Ideal Manufac- 
turing Co. manufactures a good mold in its combination 
tool, if one desires a cannelured bullet, and a set of re- 
loading tools in as compact a form as possible. This tool 
will serve the purpose, but a separate mold is generally 
considered preferable. Molds are often constructed for 
casting several bullets at one time, but the cut-off being 
in one piece, and acting on the several bullets at one 
motion. An amateur is recommended to use a mold 
casting a single bullet, as he will be likely to secure better 
results therefrom. 

After securing the mold it is necessary to procure a 
kettle or pot in which to melt the metal, and one of iron 
is recommended ; what is known as a plumber's kettle, is 
excellent, and should be found at almost any hardware 
store. The Ideal Manufacturing Co. also makes a vessel 
for melting lead. The next utensil necessary to procure 



MODERA- AMERICAN RIFLES. 



277 



is an iron ladle ; and what is known as the Ideal Dipper, 
which has just been placed on the market by the Ideal 
Manufacturing Co. of New Haven, Conn., bids fair to be 
superior to anything yet produced. 

If the rifleman has procured his mold, kettle, and Ideal 
Dipper, he can proceed to bullet making ; but his path to 
success will probably be beset with obstacles, some of 
which I will try to clear away. 

On the supposition that the beginner is to cast the 
bullets of pure lead, my advice would be to purchase lead 




Fig. 194.— Dipper for Bullet Molding. 



in small pigs. Some of the shot manufacturers, I believe, 
supply pure lead for casting bullets. I suggest purchas- 
ing the clean, pure lead, in preference to using old lead 
pipes or sheet lead, for these reasons : the manufactured 
lead is liable to contain more or less hardness or foreign 
matter, as it is claimed that every time lead is melted it 
hardens. The new lead is cleaner, better to handle, and 
more compact ; but, if you cannot procure the lead in 
pigs, which costs but little more, use what you can obtain. 
Being thus far equipped, the next operation is to melt 
the lead, a seemingly simple enough process, but good bul- 
lets and smoothness in running them depend largely upon 
keeping the molten lead at an even temperature, which 



278 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

means your heat should be as uniform as possible ; there- 
fore, whenever convenient, use a gas stove, which not only- 
gives a uniform but a more powerful heat than can usually 
be obtained by other means. By attaching a flexible tube 
to a small gas stove, a seemingly perfect arrangement can 
be obtained. Of course where gas cannot be procured, 
seek to melt your lead by a uniform heat. The most ex- 
pert bullet makers I know of do not hasten to commence 
casting ; they let the lead melt and "cook," as they say. 
I have known them to leave the lead in a molten state for 
over an hour before commencing work. Lead can be 
heated too hot, or not hot enough. If too hot it will 
shrink too much and crystallize. If you observe a frosty 
appearance on your bullets it will indicate the lead is too 
hot. If not hot enough the bullets will contain flaws or 
seams, likely to cause irregular shooting, especially if the 
seams occur on the base. I will say here that a good bul- 
let must have a perfect base. Do not make bullets near 
an open window, or where a draught sweeps across the 
surface of the molten lead ; this will cause the surface to 
cool, and the lead will be unevenly heated. 

After the lead is well melted, stir with an iron spoon. 
This will bring the impurities to the surface. If there is 
a large accumulation of dross, a spoonful of oil (not kero- 
sene oil) poured into the molten lead will ignite and burn 
the dross. The matter which is not consumed can be 
skimmed off with the iron spoon. The lead having been 
brought to the supposed proper condition for molding, the 
next thing is to make ready the mold, a task sometimes 
by no means easy. 

Many a tyro has become discouraged at the first attempt 
to cast bullets, by the lead adhering to the mold, and his 
inability to drop or knock the bullet from the mold. A 
new bullet mold will often cause a good and calm man to 
ejaculate. If the interior surface of the mold is bright, 
it should be blued by holding it in a flame ; this will also 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



279 



burn off the oil or grease on the mold, which is necessary. 
Some smok,e their molds, but this is objected to by others ; 
the mold is also plunged into the molten lead. But, really, 
all that is generally necessary is to oxidize the interior 
surface of the mold, and heat, as a rule, readily does it. 




Fig. 195. — The Ideal Kettle and Ideal Dipper. 



The mold should be heated to nearly the melting point 
of the lead, either by direct heat of the flame, or dipping 
into lead. 

With the lead properly melted and the mold in good 
working order, the task of bullet making can begin. Be- 
fore commencing, place a dish of water near you, and a 
mallet or stick of wood ; the first to plunge the mold into 
when it is growing too hot, which is determined by the 
frosted surface of the bullet. Always do this when a bul- 
let is in the mold, and not when the mold is empty, for, if 
a drop of water is left in the mold and hot lead poured 
into it, the lead will fly and endanger the eyes. The mal- 
let, or piece of wood, is to strike the cut-off and rap the 
bullets out, and should be used instead of a piece of iron. 
Commence operations at this stage as follows : Take mold 
in left and ladle in right hand ; dip the ladle part full of 
molten lead ; place the mold over the kettle ; place the 
nozzle of the Ideal Dipper in the countersink or sprew- 
hole of the cut-off on the mold, holding the mold in a 



28o MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

horizontal position ; keep the nozzle of the Ideal Dipper 
in the sprew-hole, bringing the mold under the dipper as 
you pour the lead into it, and holding the dipper-nozzle in 
the sprew-hole for about two seconds. This gives the full 
pressure of the lead in the dipper on the bullet, and con- 
tributes to making it solid, and it is believed to largely 
prevent bubbles. The illustration (Fig. 142) shows the 
operation. Place the dipper back in the kettle ; take 
the mallet in the right hand, rap the cut-off, dropping the 
surplus lead into the kettle, and knock out the bullet 
by a blow on the mold, opening it if it is one pivoted 
together. 

This describes bullet making when pure lead is used, 
but most of the bullets used to-day for target and game 
shooting are hardened. If a bullet is to be used for 
shooting large and dangerous game which has a soft skin, 
such as a cougar or tiger, and is to be shot at short range, 
it would probably be best to use nearly pure lead, be- 
cause the bullet would flatten or spread when striking 
the animal and make a large, ragged wound. But when 
penetration and accuracy at long range are desired, it is 
necessary to harden the bullets, and to what extent is 
determined by the bore, powder charge, twist, and fit of 
bullet ; and it is just here that riflemen have various opin- 
ions as to the correct degree of hardness of bullets for 
various purposes. 

The alloy of bullets is always alluded to by mentioning 
the hardest metal first, i to 16 meaning one part hard 
metal, generally tin, and sixteen parts lead. Tin, which 
is alluded to as being generally used, can be purchased 
in sticks, and in preparing the metal for the kettle a 
hatchet or chisel is usually employed to cut off the re- 
quired amount. If bullets i to 16 are desired, the compo- 
nent parts would be 5 pounds of lead to which 5 ounces 
of tin would be added. I will repeat, it is believed by 
many that the longer the metal is kept molten, or the more 



Modern American rifles. 281 

frequently it is melted, the harder it becomes ; therefore, 
if but few bullets were molded at one time, say 100, and 
a week hence another lot of 100 cast, and later another 
lot, the last batch would probably be harder than the first 
lot and this without adding tin. 

It is 3/ wise rifleman who learns what bullet shoots best 
in his rifle and sticks to that bullet. I mean by this, 
when one has found that a bullet i to 40 shoots as well as 
he thinks the arm is capable of shooting, and is content 
to accept that as the proper bullet. This being the case 
it is well to always keep one of the bullets to determine 
the alloy of those made in the future. The usual way to 
test the hardness of new bullets is to take one of the old 
and one of the new bullets when cold, and placing them 
side by side or across each other in a vice, squeeze them 
together. The one showing the greatest indentation is 
the softer ; therefore, if the new bullet is softer, add more 
tin to the mixture, or if harder, add more lead and test 
until they indicate a similar degree of hardness. 

Some riflemen take pride in the appearance of their 
bullets and enjoy the brightness of the leaden missiles. 
Any one can brighten and retain the lustre for a long 
time by dropping half or the whole of a silver dime in the 
molten fluid which melts and mixes with the metal. 

The ways of determining the correct alloy for accuracy 
are as follows : First by target shooting, which, if satis- 
factory, is generally accepted by the rifleman without fur- 
ther investigation. Second, if unsatisfactory shooting 
be obtained the marksman will desire to see his bullets 
after firing. If in winter, and snow abounds, one can 
shoot into a bank of wet snow, and by following the track 
of the bullets, generally find them in good condition, but 
showing the marks of the lands of the rifle. If the bul- 
let bears the mark of the lands its entire length, or be- 
yond the jacket, if a patched bullet is used, it indicates 
there was too much upset, and the bullet was too soft, and 



282 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

requires more tin. A bullet showing this excessive up- 
set would be liable to lead the rifle. Perhaps the bullets 
will show very light marks of the lands, and have sharp 
cut lines on their sides. This would indicate gas cutting, 
or the gas escaping by the side of the bullet, caused by 
insufficient expansion of the bullet into the grooves, 
showing the bullet was too hard, and should be softened 
by adding more lead. 

I presume many riflemen have never given a thought 
to the matter of the deterioration of bullets. I am of the 
opinion that old bullets are much inferior to those freshly 
made. I believe that age oxidizes the surface of a bullet 
and deteriorates it. I do not think that a few months' 
age affects the bullets to any great extent ; and I do 
believe that bullets which have been made for three or 
four years, and exposed, are much inferior to those which 
have been made three months. 

The art of bullet making is easily acquired by any one 
with a moderate amount of perseverance ; and, with a 
little practice, one can become expert, molding a bullet 
perfectly and rapidly. One of the best bullet makers I 
know of has repeatedly molded twelve perfect .45-calibre 
bullets in one minute, and has run 505 in one hour, and 
1,000 in two hours, using a single Ideal mold. Even if 
one does not care to undertake this work, there is inde- 
pendence in knowing how. 

Swaging bullets is generally confined to those used 
with a patch. If cannelured bullets are swaged, they 
must be lubricated first. The merit of those swaged and 
unswaged is a question upon which riflemen differ ; the 
practice is followed by some and omitted by others. The 
operation is simple : a swage is generally supplied by rifle 
and tool makers; the bullet is dropped into it, which is 
followed by a plunger ; a blow from a mallet forces the 
bullets to a uniform size if any variation exists. The 
bullet should be very slightly oiled, care being taken not 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 283 

to get on too much ; the object of the oil is to prevent 
the bullet sticking in the swage. 

Lubrication is found necessary when shooting naked or 
unjacketed bullets, and generally when the rifle is not 
cleaned after each shot. Were it not for lubrication, a 
lead bullet brought in contact with the rifle barrel would 
lead it, and the accuracy of the rifle be impaired. In 
lubricating naked bullets, the most favored mode is to 
have several concave rings or grooves cast around the 
bullet, which are termed cannelures, — a word, by the 
way, of French origin, and, although in general use, I 
believe found in but one American dictionary. The 
cannelures serve the purpose of holding the lubricant, and 
by this means the grease is evenly and well distributed, 
which is essential to secure good shooting. This mode 
of using lubricants is generally followed when using naked 
bullets. When a patched' or jacketed bullet is used, and 
the rifle shot dirty, the cannelures are not used on the 
bullets, but a lubricating disk is generally supplied. A 
card-board wad is placed over the powder, the lubricating 
disk over the wad, and the patched bullet on top. The 
latter mode is not generally used by American hunters at 
present, the naked or cannelured bullet being almost 
wholly supplied by the cartridge companies, and is pre- 
ferred by most sportsmen who cast their own bullets for 
hunting purposes or military rifle shooting. I will at 
first record the results of my observations on lubricants 
for cannelured bullets, and modes of lubricating such 
bullets. 

The formulas for lubricants are numerous, and, although 
existing in such numbers, I believe that perfection under 
all conditions has not yet been attained. If naked bullets 
were used by the expert target shots, I think the rifle 
fraternity would know more about lubricants ; but as 
patched bullets are considered more reliable for such 
work, although less practical, comparatively little atten- 



2^4 MODERN AMERICAN' klFLES. 

tion has been paid to perfecting this compound, and the 
work has been left ahiiost wholly to the manufacturer of 
cartridges. It is undoubtedly true that almost any kind 
of grease will, to a certain extent, serve the purpose of 
lubricating ; but it is also true that certain preparations 
are better than others, for weather conditions, especially 
heat and cold, affect lubricants. For a long time the 
producers of American cartridges would use different 
formulas for goods manufactured in summer and winter. 
This plan might possibly be well if the entire product 
were consumed in one season ; but as summer goods 
would be held over winter, and winter to summer, it 
can be seen that the consumer might be unfortunate 
enough to purchase just the wrong lot. The old absurd 
mode of outside lubrication for rifle and pistol cartridges 
made the deterioration certain, and the rubbing off of 
lubrication from one side of the exposed part of the 
bullet, which was an almost certain cause for inaccurate 
shooting. 

Manufacturers of rifle and pistol cartridges have, since 
commencing the manufacture of metallic cartridges, sought 
to obtain a lubricant which would answer the purpose in 
hot and cold weather and in various climates. From in- 
formation possessed by the writer, he has formed the 
impression that Japan wax is the best article manufac- 
turers have found for a lubricant for general purposes, 
and less affected by climatic changes than other com- 
pounds. It can be purchased in large cities, but is rather 
a scarce commodity. I have collected, during the past 
fifteen years, a number of formulas for lubricants, and my 
scrap-book shows a variety of opinions as to what consti- 
tutes the best mixture. I will give, for the benefit of 
brother riflemen, a number, in order that they may experi- 
ment with the various compounds. I do this, as I have 
found that several expert and reliable riflemen have differ- 
ent opinions as to the best lubricants. The following 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 285 

formulas are recommended by American cartridge and 
arms manufacturers : — 

The Winchester Repeating Arms Company advise the use of Japan wax 
or beef tallow. 

The Marlin Firearms Company says : Make the lubricant of clear tallow, 
4 parts ; bepswax, i part. 

Massachusetts Arms Company: i part beeswax to 3 parts tallow. 

Ideal Manufacturing Company : Beeswax and common cylinder oil, 3 
parts wax to i of oil ; also, beef tallow with enough vaseline with it to 
soften it as desired. 

J. Stevens Arms and Tool Company : Make lubricant of clear tallow, 4 
parts ; beeswax, i part. 

Sharps Rifle Company (out of existence) : i part beeswax to 2 parts of 
sperm oil, by weight. 

Smith & Wesson : Melted tallow. 

Bullard Repeating Arms Company: Fill grooves with beef tallow or 
Japan wax. 

Among the riflemen I have met during the past quar- 
ter of a century, I have obtained the following : — 

Three parts mutton tallow, one part wax. About a teaspoonful plum- 
bago to a pint of the melted compound ; cool a little of it, and, if it proves 
too hard, thin with a little sperm oil. 

The above formula was used for many years by riflemen 
at Walnut Hill, who shot lubricated bullets prior to the 
general adoption of the patched bullet for target shooting, 
and at the time was considered as good as any thing tried. 

J. G. B., of Staatsburgh, N.Y. : Vaseline and paraffine, putting in only 
enough of the paraffine to make the vaseline hard enough to work well on 
the bullet, — say, use a piece of paraffine about the size of a good-sized 
duck's egg to one pound of vaseline. There seems to be something about 
it, writes Mr. B., that suits the rifle barrel, so that you can vary it from soft 
to hard, more than any other mixture I have ever seen. Both being com- 
posed of mineral oils, it is also less affected by heat and cold. 

Col. H. Simpson, an intelligent and expert marksman, wrote to Shooting 
and Fishing, about a year ago, of the trouble he experienced with lubri- 
cants; and, by not finding the proper article, his rifle leaded badly. He 
says : " I tried evervthing I could think of, or that was suggested to me, and 
took the greatest care in molding my bullets and loading. Still there was 
no improvement. Being impressed with the thought that the fault lay in 



286 ' MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

my lubricant, I resolved to make some experiments, and was advised by a 
friend to try some of his. After two or three shots my rifle was leaded 
worse than ever. His lubricant was composed of Japan wax and a small 
admixture of tallow; and the increased gritty or waxy feeling of the inside 
of the barrel after the bullet had passed through, strengthened my convic- 
tion that anything of that nature was not a lubricant, as it does not suffi- 
ciently reduce friction. I tried softening the wax by adding more and more 
tallow, until I became convinced that the latter was the true lubricant; so 
I threw aside the compound, and commenced using pure tallow, which is 
known among all branches of mechanics as one of the best and most dura- 
ble of lubricants. My rifle has not leaded since ; and while I clean every 
ten shots, more from force of habit than anything else, I haven't the least 
doubt that it would shoot a whole afternoon without cleaning, as every time 
I clean, the inside of the barrel has a soft, slippery feeling, exactly the 
opposite of the condition described above, and offers no resistance to the 
passage of a cleaning rag. 

" This experience set me to thinking of what caused the leading in 
the first place, as I had never been troubled with it before to any extent. 
I had always used the lubricant recommended by the Marlin Arms Co. ; 
viz., four parts pure tallow to one of beeswax, and when new always found 
it worked admirably, both winter and summer. Then I remembered that 
when in a hurry I'had often set the lul)ricant on a very hot part of the stove 
to melt, and had sometimes smelled a burning odor from it, and the thought 
flashed upon me that the repeated burning of" the lubricant had con- 
sumed the lubricating qualities of the tallow, and left the hard waxy sub- 
stance remaining. Opinions may vary as to the best substance for lubri- 
cants, but experience so far convinces me that plain tallow, with the addition 
of a small amount of beeswax in hot weather, is about as good as any. Not 
that there is much lubricating quality in wax of any kind, but mixture with 
it will prevent the tallow from running." 



The above article brought out the following suggestion 
from the late J. C. Purvis-Bruce : — 

" Some time ago, in Shooting and Fishing, I noticed a paper on ' lubri- 
cants ' by H. Simpson, in which he expresses his opinion that plain tallow, 
with the addition of a small amount of beeswax, is as good as any. It is, 
perhaps, but I think if he will add a little vaseline {pure, without any scent- 
ing or coloring or other foreign substance), he will find the lubricant par ex- 
cellence. It may not do in all guns, but it does splendidly in mine — a .400-bore 
no grains of powder, 270 grains of lead, hollow copper point express rifle, — 
and I think it should, in most others. Be sure not to add too much wax, and 
let it be as pure and as fresh as possible. Vaseline, or petroleum jelly, I 
regard as the finest lubricant in the world." 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 287 

Col. Simpson records the results of a trial, prompted by- 
Mr. Bruce's suggestion, as follows : — 

" His advice was to add a little vaseline to pure tallow, but I did not fol- 
low it strictly according to the letter ; for it occurred to me that cosmoline 
contained precisely the same lubricating qualities, but was firmer and re- 
tained its colisistency better, and would make a more desirable rifle lubricant. 
I was not so exact as to weigh the ingredients, but put five cents' worth of 
cosmoline in a small tin cup of pure tallow, and found it to work finely, 
'setting ' quickly, and sticking to the bullet like grim death. Care should 
be taken not to have the lubricant too hot. I think this mistake is often 
made. The cup should be set upon the outer edge of the stove, where the 
lubricant will just melt. I have used this lubricant every week for two 
months, and often, when two or three friends would be shooting with me and 
using my rifle, the barrel would become very hot, but there was not the first 
sign of leading. As a precaution, I cleaned every twenty or thirty shots, 
but it was really unnecessary, as the inside of the barrel had a perfectly 
smooth, even greasy, feeling, that betokened absence from any crust or lead- 
ing. I also use this lubricant in reloading revolver ammunition, and agree 
with ' Jack ' that it is a lubricant/ar excellence." 

Mr. F. J. Rabbeth recommends beeswax and cylinder, 
or other heavy oil, one part oil to four of beeswax. 

The French Government formerly used a lubricant com- 
posed of three parts tallow to one part beeswax ; Switzer- 
land and America, four parts tallow to one of beeswax, 
and, later, the American metallic cartridges were lubri- 
cated with a mixture of tallow one part, beeswax eight 
parts ; finally the Government adopted Japan wax. A 
number of different mixtures were tried by the govern- 
ment officers ; namely, tallow and beeswax, Japan wax, and 
the one which has always given the best results when used 
at once, sperm oil and beeswax. A good lubricant is com- 
posed of three parts tallow and two parts beeswax, with 
enough spindle oil to give the whole a salve-like consist- 
ency, so that it will not run in hot weather. The use of 
graphite is good, provided it can be thoroughly mixed 
with the mass, but it is a dirty mixture and but little used. 

In 1873, the United States Government conducted a 
long series of experiments to determine the best calibre 



288 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



for adoption for military use. A number of different 
ways of lubricating the bullet were tried. The best 
results were obtained by the use of a grooved bullet, lubri- 
cated in the cannelures with eight parts of bayberry wax 
and one part graphite ; but the growing scarcity of bay- 
berry wax led to the final adoption of Japan wax. 

I have drawn to considerable extent on my scrap-book, 
in order to exhibit the varied opinions of expert riflemen, 
and from which, no doubt, riflemen will find an excellent 
compound. Lubricant is often manufactured by a secret 




Fig. 196. — Ideal Bullet SIzer. 

formula and sold in packages. Mr. Reuben Harwood has 
compounded a mixture which is highly indorsed by those 
who have given it a trial. Mr. George R. Russell, the 
expert bullet maker of Boston, has as good a lubricant as 
I ever tried. 

When a lubricant has been secured, the rifleman can 
proceed to lubricate his bullets. One mode is as follows : 
Take a shallow tray or pan and melt the lubricant, keep- 
ing it at as even a temperature as possible. Procure a pair 
of cheap tweezers, with which seize the bullet and dip 
base forward into the lubricant to a point beyond the first 
cannelure from the point, after which set on a board to 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



289 



cool. There will be a quantity of surplus lubricant on 
the bullet which it is desirable to remove ; an old way of 
doing this 'was to force the bullets 
through a piece of metal tubing, bat 
provision has been made for this by the 
Ideal Manufacturing Company in its 
excellent tool. The operation of sizing 
the bullet by forcing it through a hole 
of proper diameter also removes the sur- 
plus grease. It is particularly desirable 
to remove all the grease from the base 
of the bullet. Most riflemen who have 
a large number of bullets to lubricate, 
prefer to use a lubricating pump and 
cold lubricant. One is illustrated 
which can be made by any skilful me- 
chanic, and for those who make bullets 
in large quantities it is an excellent 
tool to possess. 

Lubricants deteriorate with age on 
account of oxidation, and therefore 
freshly lubricated bullets are superior 
to those which have been lubricated for 
a long time. 

A patched or jacketed bullet is used 
in Europe for both target and game 
shooting. In America it is sometimes 
used for game shooting, and for target 
shooting with a special military rifle, in 
which case a disk of lubricant is used, 
being placed between a thin card wad 
over the powder and the bullet. With 
such a load the rifle is not cleaned be- 
tween shots. The use of the patched 
bullet for game and military shooting is less each year in 
this country, but for target shooting with a match rifle, 



Fig. >97.— Mass. Arms 
Co.'s Lubricating 
Pump. 



290 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



in most cases where fine shooting is done, the patched 
bullet is preferred. 

The object of the patch is to keep the leadirom contact 
with the barrel, a fact which most marksmen well know. 




Fig. t98. — Harwood's Bullet Lubricating Pump. 

Patched bullets for the standard makes and calibres of rifles 
can be purchased in most of the large cities, but so vari- 
able are the ideas of riflemen in regard to correctness of 
the fit of bullets, as well as the difficulty at times in pro- 
curing the size and weight, with the special thickness of 
patch, that the practice of making bullets is quite general 
among expert riflemen. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 29 1 

The bullet intended to be covered with a patch is cast 
without cannelures, and, until recently, was patched almost 
wholly by wrapping the patch around the bullet. The 
material for patching bullets for American breech-loading 
target rifles is generally paper. The Union Metallic Cart- 
ridge Co,mpany and the Winchester Repeating Arms Com- 
pany use what is known as Bank Note Bullet Patch Paper, 
an American product of firm texture. It is usually sup- 





Fig. 199. — Form for cutting Patches for Bullets. 

plied in three thicknesses, and the bullets, when patched, 
are known as thick, medium, and thin patched. Some- 
times bullets are supplied patched with an extra thin 
patch. 

Assuming that a rifleman desires directions for patch- 
ing bullets, I will commence by describing the patch. 
The first thing to do is to fit a patch to the bullet ; and it 
should be shaped so as to go around the bullet twice and 
not lap over so as to make three thicknesses of paper. 
When the patch is properly fitted, a disk of metal can 
be made, which will serve the purpose of cutting out 
patches in quantity. The accompanying illustration (Fig. 
199) shows a device, which often accompanies a first-class 
English express rifle, for cutting out patches, and which 
will also show the shape of the most popular form of 
paper patch. 

Some riflemen have an arrangement for cutting patches 
which I believe will be new to many, and which I will 
illustrate and describe (Fig. 200). Take a piece of clean 
pine board, about 18 inches long by 10 wide; nail two 
tacks or nails in this board about an inch from the edge, 



292 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

about 12 inches apart, as shown in the illustration. Take 
a straight edge and draw a line from one nail to the other. 
Lay one end of the patch fitted to the bullet on this line, 
and mark the width and length, nailing two more tacks on 
the lower line. The space between the upper and lower 
lines represents the length of the patch, the cross extend- 
ing above the upper and below the lower lines represents 
the width of the patch. With such an arrangement the 



Fig. 200. — Device for cutting Patches for Bullets. 

rifleman can, in a short time, cut patches enough to last 
him a year or more, and to do this he should proceed as 
follows : — 

Take a number of sheets of the patch paper, and, if the 
edges come together evenly, place them against the two 
upper tacks ; place a rule against the two lov/er tacks, and 
with a sharp knife cut across, remove the strip, m^ove up 
the edge of the paper, and thus cut the patch paper of 
several sheets' thickness into strips, the width of which 
represents the length of the bullet patch. After cutting 
into strips, take a strip, placing it against the two upper 
tacks, or with the edges on the two horizontal lines ; take 
the rule, place it even with the first oblique line, and with 
the knife cut it ; then move the rule to the next line, cut, 
and so proceed until the entire strip of paper is cut. 
These pieces should conform to the shape of the single 
patch fitted to the bullet if the lines in the board are 
properly laid out and the directions followed. 

After cutting out the patches, either by the aid of a 



MOlDEKN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



593 



metal disk guide or the latter plan, the rifleman can pro- 
ceed to patch. In factories bullet patching is generally 
done by girls,- as their nimble fingers seem better adapted 
to this work than the stronger but less deft ones of the 
sterner sex. At one time a little paste was used to 
moisten the end of a patch and make it adhere to the 
bullet when starting to patch the bullet, but it was soon 
discovered by expert riflemen that anything which caused 
the patch to adhere to the bullet after leaving the rifle 




Fig. 201.— Mode of patching Bullets. 

was detrimental to good shooting, and paste was forever 
discarded by intelligent riflemen. 

Some place the patches in a saucer of water, the wet 
patch clinging to the bullet. This mode is questioned by 
some riflemen, as paper will sometimes cling to the bullet 
after leaving the rifle. Other riflemen wet the tip end of 
the patch with saliva, and claim to patch the bullet satis- 
factorily, and still others apply the patch perfectly dry. 
I know one rifleman who has a world-wide reputation as 
a marksman, who has twice shot on American teams in 
England, and whose record in some styles of legitimate 
shooting has never been equalled, who frequently casts 
his bullets an hour or two before starting for the rifle 
range. I have seen him repeatedly patch his bullets in 



294 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



the cars while travelling from Boston to Walnut Hill, but 
lately he has taken to patching on the range. He uses 
one shell which, after firing a shot, he decaps, applies a 
fresh primer, fills the shell, picks up a bullet, patches it, 
inserts it in the shell, and goes to the firing point. With 




Fig. 202.— The Chase System of Patching. 

three or four shooting on a target, he is able, without 
hurrying, to keep his place and fire in turn. I mention 
these facts to show that bullet making and patching bullets 
is not a very arduous task when the art is acquired. 

In patching bullets it is usual to place an end of the 
patch on a bullet, as shown in Fig. 201, and wrap the 
bullet by rolling the paper from you, or the bullet toward 
you. The patch extends below the base of the bullet, 
which is twisted thus holding it. The Chase system of 
patching, which is used by many expert target shots, is 
illustrated (Fig. 202). The patch is square, going once 
around the bullet. The plug in the ball-seater is drawn 
back, the patch placed in the ball-seater, the bullet inside 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 295 

of the patch, after which the bullet with the patch is 
seated in the rifle-barrel in front of the chamber. This 
system of patching was originated chiefly to insure the 
patch parting" from the bullet the moment it left the 
muzzle of the rifle. It is employed only where one shell 
is used, reloading after each shot, or where the shells are 
carried to the range loaded with powder. 

Riflemen using the system of patching first described,' 
frequently cut the patch or slit it along the edge, the 
object being to facilitate its leaving the bullet. My fre- 
quent allusions to the efforts of the rifleman to insure 
the patch leaving the bullet will indicate how important a 
factor this is to secure fine shooting. Patches have been 
found clinging to the bullets after they have been shot 
into a bank at the back of paper targets. Factory-made 
bullets have been found to which the patch was attached 
so fast as to hold the weight of the bullet, and, in fact, so 
the patch would have to be torn from the bullet, and 
part of it left sticking fast to one side of the projectile. 
Shooting with such bullets is likely to be quite variable. 



296 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

ROUND BULLETS IN MODERN RIFLES. 

It is astonishing how pertinaciously some individuals 
will cling to ancient and nearly obsolete ideas connected 
with rifles and rifle firing. Years ago rifles were made to 
shoot round bullets and short conical balls, and there are 
on record many statements as to their excellence. There 
is a limited range with such projectiles, and the most 
exhaustive experiments have shown that great care is 
necessary to secure even good results with a round bullet ; 
and the advantages of an elongated projectile are so much 
greater, that little or no attention is given by makers of 
rifles or ammunition to their manufacture. 

I have always believed that most of the advocates of 
the gain twist, and the use of the round bullet in rifles, 
formed their opinion more from writings of twenty-five to 
fifty years ago than from actual experiences at the present 
time. 

Occasionally, a modern rifleman desires to know the 
amount of accuracy which can be secured by the use of a 
round bullet in a modern breech-loading rifle, and if he 
be a practical rifleman, and essays to gain this infor- 
mation by actual experiments, according to my observa- 
tion, he soon becomes convinced that such projectiles had 
better be relegated to oblivion, and that the modern elon- 
gated projectile is vastly superior in range, accuracy, and 
penetration to the spherical ball. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 29/ 

It cannot be said that a round bullet will not shoot 
accurately in a rifle, for experiments show that they will ; 
but to secure satisfactory work they must be shot from a 
rifle with a very slow twist, and much more care taken in 
loading than with other forms of projectiles. Even then 
you cannot surpass the accuracy of an elongated bullet ; 
you would have only a very short range, and the rifle best 
suited for shooting round bullets would not shoot modern 
projectiles well. Very few riflemen of to-day would be 
willing to accept a rifle which is best suited for shooting 
round bullets ; in fact, according to my own experiments, 
the only modern rifles at all suitable for shooting round 
bullets are those with slow twists, and shooting short, 
conical bullets. The twist used in express rifles is con- 
sidered best for round bullets, but the depth of the 
grooves in such rifles is just the opposite of what most 
gun makers consider proper for the spherical projec- 
tiles. 

The only advantage I could ever see in the use of a 
round bullet was a low trajectory at short range; but to 
secure any accuracy a rifle must be used, according to my 
experiments, which would be quite unreliable with an 
elongated projectile at a distance most who hunt with a 
rifle desire to shoot. One can load a breech-loading rifle 
from the muzzle, if the rifle has a slow twist, and some- 
times secure very good work up to 150 yards, but I have 
no use for such an arm in hunting, for a modern rifle with 
a quick twist will shoot a light elongated bullet so accu- 
rately as to hit nearly every time an object as small as one 
can see to sight on with hunting sights, and far finer than 
a person can hold, besides shooting a heavier bullet with 
great accuracy. 

I consider the rifle best suited for shooting a round 
bullet as obsolete, whether breech or muzzle loader, and a 
spherical bullet much inferior to a modern elongated pro- 
jectile. It is evident that those who seek information on 



-298 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

this subject, recognize the superiority of the elongated 
projectile, but desire to know what amount of accuracy 
can be obtained from round bullets in modern rifles with 
quick twist, chiefly for practice with reduced charges in- 
doors, or where it is thought undesirable to shoot full 
charges. I have intermittingly given some attention to 
experimenting with round bullets in modern breech-loaders, 
but always came to the conclusion that the modern rifles 
had better be shot with the ammunition intended for 
them, and if practice was desired indoors, or at short 
range, the .22-calibre was much more desirable. 

I have alluded to loading with round bullets from the 
muzzle and securing fair results at short range, but most 
of my experiments were with the balls loaded in the shell, 
and selected for rifles — a Sharps-Borchardt .45-70 and a 
U. S. Springfield rifle. Both of these rifles were fine 
shooting arms, and groups of ten shots on or in a 6-inch 
circle, at 200 yards, shooting at rest, could be secured with- 
out much trouble. The Sharps rifle was fitted with a 
Remington Special Military sight, and the Springfield had 
the Buffington sight. The shooting was done by an expert 
rest shot, one who has distinguished himself by his excel- 
lent work in this style of rest shooting. Bullets were 
made of pure lead, and of different alloys. Various 
charges of powder were tried, and the mode of loading 
as follows : — 

The shells were primed, and the charges of powder 
poured into them ; the round bullet placed over the powder, 
the bullet fitting the shell "snugly, and lubricant distributed 
evenly around the outside of the bullet, precisely similar 
to the mode followed in loading shells for revolver ammu- 
nition for stage or indoor shooting. 

The target used was the centre of the Standard Ameri- 
can 200-yard target, and the distance 100 yards ; therefore, 
any shot outside the four circle would be scored a miss, 
Seven shots constituted a score. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



299 



Following were the results 
rifle : — 



first test with Sharps 













VERTICAL 


HORIZONTAL 






POWDER. 




BULLET. 


DEVIATION. 


DEVIATION. 


REMARKS. 












INCHES. 


INCHES, 




I 


20 Sirs. Rifle 
Ctg. No.'s- 


Hard. 


I7i 


9 


2 shots off 
target. 


2 


20 


" 




" 


18 


8^ 




3 


20 


" 




(( 


I9I 


14 




4 


20 


« 




Pure lead. 


\o\ 


7 


I shot off. 


5 


20 


" 




(1 


15 


9 


I " 


6 


30 


" 




I to 20 


12 


13 


2 " 


7 


30 


" 




I to 20 


I2i 


15 


2 " 


8 


30 


" 




Pure lead. 


I I 


10 




9 


50 


" 




I to 20 


7 


15 




10 


50 


" 




" 


15 


II 




II 


50 


" 




Pure lead. 


4 


shots on target 


; very wild. 


12 


70 


« 




I to 20 


II 


14 




13 


70 


" 




" 






very wild. 


14 


70 


" 




Pure lead. 


9 


II 




15 


70 


" 




" 


i6| 


loi 





50 yards, Sharps rifle : — 



30 grs. Rifle 
Cartridge. 
30 " 
70 " 
70 " 
50 « 
20 " 



Pure lead. 



I to 20 
Pure lead. 



VERTICAL 


HORIZONTAL 


DEVIATION. 


DEVIATION. 


INCHES. 


INCHES. 


A\ 


4 


4f 


5 


2i 


4i 


\\ 


If 


Si 


4f 


12 


9 



Note. — Light powder charges fouled at breech of rifle ; heavy charges 
at muzzle. Bullets extremely sensitive to wind and excessive fouling 
noticeable. 

A trial was made with a Springfield rifle, the charge 
being 70 grains of Rifle Cartridge Powder and a soft lead 
bullet. The first seven shots were in a 7 J^ -inch circle, 
four of the shots being in a 4-inch circle. The second 
series took a 13-inch circle to enclose the shots, but five 
of them were in a 5^ -inch circle. Third trial in a lo-inch 



300 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

circle. Hard bullets were then tried with the same charge 
of powder, and it required a circle 1 1 J^ inches in diameter 
to enclose the shots, though six of the shots could be 
enclosed in a 9-inch circle. A second trial with the same 
charge required an ii-inch circle to enclose the seven 
shots. All the shooting with the Springfield rifle was at 
100 yards. 

The only modern rifle I ever succeeded in getting any 
satisfactory work from was a Maynard .40-60 rifle. This 
arm had a 26-inch twist, and would shoot a round bullet 
quite well, but the short conical bullet did so much finer 
work with half the trouble in loading that I quickly aban- 
doned the round bullet. 

The result of my experiments left the impression that 
round bullets in modern American rifles, even when the 
bullet of proper size was procured and loaded with the 
greatest care, would shoot with only very moderate accu- 
racy up to about 60 yards, and it could not be relied on to 
do anything like the certainty an elongated projectile 
could. A round bullet in a modern rifle, according to my 
experience, will not shoot as accurately as a person can 
hold the rifle ; therefore, I some time ago concluded that 
I had no use for anything in the way of a bullet, except 
an elongated one. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 30I 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

MODERN MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING RIFLES. 

In previous chapters I have alluded to different processes 
of manufacturing rifles. There is a similarity in the 
processes, but the machinery employed to accomplish the 
same results is widely different. An excellent rifle can 
be produced entirely by hand-power machines ; and some 
of the machinery employed. at the present time possesses 
surprising primitiveness. In some establishments the 
necessary machinery is built by the manufacturers of 
rifles, and it varies very much. 

The only concern in the United States making a spe- 
cialty of building machinery for the manufacture of rifles 
is the Pratt and Whitney Company of Hartford, Conn. 
This company has a line of machinery which enables the 
company to equip an armory with despatch with the latest 
perfected machinery ; and the illustrations in this chapter 
show some of the most important machines which are 
used in a modern rifle factory. 

Fig. 203 shows a " Barrel Drilling Machine," which is 
employed to drill rifle and shotgun barrels, hollow spin- 
dles, etc., up to one-inch bore, and thirty-six inches long. 
The work revolves while the drills are fed in by the car- 
riage. Oil is forced through the drills, and carries the 
chips away from the cut to the pan under the bed. The 
work is drilled the whole length from one end, and 
the machine is made double with each half complete in 
itself, and independent of the other. 



302 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



There is a power-feed to this machine, and an automatic 
knock-off for the carriage ; and the flow of oil can be 




easily regulated. The countershafts are arranged so that 
the work-head and oil pump of each half of the machine 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



303 



can be operated independently ; and there are cones giving 
freer speeds for the work spindles. 




Fig. 204. — Smooth Boring Machine. 



The countershaft runs 390 revolutions per minute, mak- 
ing the speeds of work-head 510, 680, 870, and 1,190 




Fig. 205. — Barrel Turning IVIachine. 



revolutions per minute. The capacity of the machine for 
ordinary rifle barrels is about twelve per day. 

The Smooth Boring Machine, shown in Fig. 204, is 



304 



Modern American rieles. 



designed to finish the bore of barrels after being drilled. 
The work is clamped in fixtures and reciprocating carriages, 
which feed the barrels, and square the reamers being 
driven by the head spindles. This machine is made double, 
both spindles being driven from the same driving shaft, 

but operated separately by 

clutches connected with 

treadles on the central leg. 

The carriages are driven from 

the head driving shaft by a 

system of racks and gears, 

the motion being reversed by 

means of hand levers on the 

front of the bed. The capacity 

^ of the machine is about twenty 

\ barrels per day. The Pratt and 

i Whitney Company has, at the 

\ time of writing, in its works a 

^ new model Smooth Boring 

I Machine, which will have sev- 

N 

M eral new features, and be auto- 
matic in its operation. 

The " Barrel Turning Ma- 
chine," Fig. 205, is designed 
for finishing the outside of 
gun barrels up to forty inches 
long. It is a special engine 
lathe, with former attach- 
ment, belt feed and carriage 
arranged to hold as many 
cross slides as can be used to 
advantage in each operation. The usual practice is to 
divide the finishing of the barrel into several distinct 
operations, each cut being taken on a separate machine 
set up for the purpose. The machine is very rigid and 
well built, so that the work is practically interchangeable. 




MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



305 



There are three speeds for the spindle, and three varia- 
tions of feed, and the tools are kept flooded with oil by an 
oil pump and a convenient system of piping. 




The rifling machine shown in Fig. 206 is known as the 
" No. 3 Rifling Machine." It is designed for rifling bar- 
rels up to .45-calibre and forty inches long, with rifling of 
any pitch down to one turn in ten inches, and this would 



306 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

enable these machines to be used in the manufacture of 
the new mihtary rifles. The cutter-bar is made to revolve 
as it advances by a pinion meshing with a rack in a slide, 
the motion of which is governed by an adjustable angle 
bar. The carriage has an automatic reciprocating motion, 
and the cutters are fed out by an adjustable feeding de- 
vice. An oil pump supplies the cutters with a constant 
flow of oil, which keeps them cool, and carries away the 
chips. The machine is arranged so that the operator has 
full control of it without changing his position. The index 
provides for cutting three, four, or five grooves, or can be 
made for any number desired. The capacity of the ma- 
chine for ordinary rifle barrels is about twenty per day, and 
is automatic throughout. 

The " Gun Stock Turning Machine," Fig. 207, is de- 
signed to finish the outside of gun-stock to the desired 
form in one operation. There are two spindles geared 
from the same driving shaft, one for the work and the 
other for the former. The cutter and former roll are on 
a rocking frame, the roll being held against the former by 
a clock-spring arrangement. The driving and feed are 
both operated by clutches on the machine without stop- 
ping the countershafts. The carriage has an automatical 
reciprocating travel of nineteen inches. The feed screw 
and cutter spindle are driven from a shaft below, and the 
work and former spindles are driven directly from the 
countershaft. There are two countershafts. One runs 
sixty-five revolutions per minute, driving the work thirty 
revolutions per minute, the other two 'hundred and eight, 
driving the cutter three thousand revolutions per minute. 



RULES 
GOVERNING RIFLE SHOOTING. 



REGULATIONS OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE 
ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA. 



I. — MANAGEMENT. 



■ANNUAL MEETINGS. 



1. Annual meetings for competition will be conducted by an 
Executive Officer, wearing a b-i-coloi-ed badge, aided by a Statis- 
tical Officer, wearing a blue badge, a Financial Officer, wearing 
a white badge, a Range Officer, wearing a red badge, and assist- 
ants, wearing badges corresponding in color to those worn by 
the chiefs of their respective departments. 

2. The Executive Officer shall have control of the Range 
for the conduct of matches, and shall appoint an adjutant to 
assist him. 

3. The Statistical Officer shall have charge of all statistics. 

4. The Financial Officer shall have charge of all finances 
connected with these meetings. 

5. The Range Officer shall have charge of all Firing Points, 
and of the shooting thereat. 

B. — OTHER COMPETITIONS. 

I. All other • Association competitions will be conducted by 
an Officer or Director of the Association, or other competent 
person previously designated as the Executive Officer. In the 
absence of the Officer, Director, or other person previously des- 
ignated, the Assistant Secretary or Superintendent of Range 
shall act as the Executive Officer. 

309 



3IO MODERN AMERICAN RIELES.] 



II. — GENERAL REGULATIONS. 

1. During the progress of a match, no one, except the Offi- 
cers, Directors, and Employees of the Association, the competi- 
tors and the Scorelveepers, will be permitted within the ropes, 
without special permission of the Range Officer. 

2. The squads of competitors will be stationed not less than 
four yards in rear of the firing points, where each competitor 
must remain until called by the Scorekeeper to take his posi- 
tion at the firing point, and until he has completed his score. 
The Scorekeepers will be seated close to and in rear of the 
firing point stakes. 

3. Scorekeepers shall, as each shot is signalled, call in a loud 
voice the name of the competitor and the value of the shot, and 
at the conclusion of the score of each competitor, announce in 
like manner his name and total score. 

Competitors must pay attention to the scores as announced and 
recorded^ so that any error may be promptly investigated. 

Scorekeepers shall write upon the blackboard the names of 
the competitors in each squad or file, in the order in which they 
are to fire. They shall record each shot upon the blackboard 
before entering it upon the score card, and shall not erase from 
the blackboard the names or scores of competitors until a 
proper officer has verified the score cards with them. 

4. All competitors will be allowed to examine the records of 
the Scorekeeper during the progress of any match upon appli- 
cation to the Range or Executive Officer. 

5. All protests and objections must be made to the Executive 
Officer, or, in his absence, to the Range Officer in charge. In 
case a competitor is dissatisfied with the decision of the latter, 
he may appeal to the Executive Officer. 

All protests must be made in writing, in duplicate. These 
must be given to the Range Officer within two hours of the 
occurrence. One copy of the protest will be submitted to the 
party protested against, as soon as practicable. Except that 
when the protest charges fraud, it may be made at any time 
before the prizes for that competition have been awarded. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 3II 

6. Any competitor feeling himself aggrieved by the ruling of 
an Executive Officer may make to the Secretary a statement of 
his grievance in writing, giving the names of two or more wit- 
nesses in the case, which shall be handed to the Executive 
Committee at its first meeting thereafter for its consideration. 
The decision of the Executive Committee shall be final, sub- 
ject, however, to the discretion of said Committee, or any two 
members of it, to refer the matter to the Board of Directors for 
its decision. 

7. All practice upon the Range is subordinate and must give 
way to matches of the Association, except as directed by the 
Executive Officer or Range Committee. 

8. These regulations, and such special rules or directions as 
the Executive Officer may give, must be rigidly complied with 
by competitors and all other persons upon the Range grounds. 

III. — RIFLES. 

The rifles allowed in the competitions are — ist, Military 
rifles ; 2d, Special Military rifles ; 3d, Any rifles, and must com- 
ply with the following conditions ; viz. : — 

1. Military Rifles to be such as have been adopted by the 
United States Government, for use in the army, or by any State 
or Territory for the use of its uniformed militia — except such 
rifles as have been specially issued to sharpshooters, or for ex- 
perimental purposes. Filing or altering the sights of such 
rifles, except as authorized by the proper military authorities, is 
strictly prohibited. 

2. Special Military Rifles, to be fitted with an arrange- 
ment for fixing a bayonet, or such other device as may be 
employed to take the place of a bayonet. Stock to be suffi- 
ciently strong for service purposes, and to be fitted with a metal 
cleaning rod and swivels for a sling ; weight (without bayonet) 
not to exceed nine and one-quarter pounds. In all military 
rifles the minimum trigger pull shall be six pounds. Sights may 
be such as are allowed on military rifles or of such other pat- 
tern as may have been approved by the Board of Directors of 



312 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

the National Rifle Association. The sight protector of the 
front sight may be used as a shade for the same. 

3. Any Rifle, maximum weight ten pounds, minimum pull 
of trigger three pounds ; sights of any description, except tele- 
scope, magnifying and such front aperture sights as solid disks 
or bushes pierced in the centre, which cover the target so as to 
conceal the danger signal when displayed. No stirrup con- 
structed of metal or other substance, connected to the rifle by 
straps of any kind, for the purpose of taking up or lessening its 
recoil, will be allowed. 

4. The usual military sling and swivels may be used. 

5. Competitors shall submit their rifles and ammunition for 
inspection whenever required. 

6. No hair or set trigger will be allowed. 

7. No fixed or artificial rests will be allowed. 

IV. —AMMUNITION. 

For any military or special military rifle, any form of fixed 
ammunition may be used in which the bullet is securely in- 
serted in the shell to a depth not less than f the diameter of 
the bore, so that the cartridge may be carried in a belt, bullet 
down. 

For any rifle, any ammunition may be used. When a breech- 
loader is used it must not be loaded, or when a muzzle-loader is 
used it must not be capped until the competitor has taken up 
his position at the firing point. 

v. — TARGETS. 

The targets are divided into three classes, and shall be of 
the following sizes, unless otherwise stated in the terms of the 
match : — 

I. Third Class, to be used at all distances up to, and includ- 
ing, 300 yards — Target 4x6 feet. 

Bullseye, circular, 8 inches in diameter. 
Centre, " 26 " " 

Inner, '' 46 " " 

Outer, remainder of target. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 313 

2. Second Class, to be used at all distances over 300, to, and 
including, 600 yards — Target 6x6 feet. 

Bullseye, circular, 22 inches in diameter. 
Centre, " 38 " " 

Inner, " 54 " " 

' Outer, remainder of target. 

3. Fij'st Class, to be used at all distances over 600 yards 
Target 6x12 feet. 

Bullseye, circular, 36 inches in diameter. 
Centre, " 54 " " 

Inner, square, 6x6 feet. 
Outer, remainder of target. 

VI. — MARKING, SCORING, & SIGNALLING. 

I, Bullseye, counts 5 ; signal, white circular disk. 

Centre, " 4;' " red " 

Inner, " 3 ; " white and black " 

Outer, " 2; " black 

Ricochet, scored R; " red flag waved twice, right 

and left, in front of the target. Ricochet hits will be marked 
out after the flag signal. 

2. When a shot strikes the angle iron upon which the target 
stands, the marker will open the trap and raise and lower his 
flag three times in front of the target. 

3. Any objection to the record of a shot as signalled or to one 
not signalled, must be made before another shot is fired. Any 
competitor challenging the marking of a shot, shall first deposit 
with the E.xecutive Officer, or his representative, the sum of 
$1.00. If his challenge is sustained the money shall be re- 
turned. In case the challenge is not sustained, the money shall 
be forfeited to the Association. The challenger shall not be 
permitted to inspect the target. 

4. When two shots strike the target simultaneously, the shot 
having the higher value will be marked first, and the competitor 
whose proper turn it was to shoot will be credited with that 
value. 




314 ' MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

5. Any alteration of a scoring ticket must be witnessed by 
the officer in chiarge of the firing point, and indorsed with his 
initials, 

VII. — BULLSEYE TARGETS. 

1. Bullseye targets will be open all the time during the 
Annual Meetings. 

2. Tickets (entitling the holder to one shot at any Bullseye 
target) will be sold at the office of the Financial Officer, upon 
the Range, at 10 cents each, or twelve for $1.00. 

3. Each competitor making a Bullseye will receive a Bulls- 
eye ticket, provided he fires in the position authorized at that 
Range. 

4. At the close of the firing each evening, the pool receipts 
(less one-half retained for expenses) will be divided pro rata 
among those making Bullseyes, on presentation of their tickets. 

5. No person will be allowed to fire more than three shots 
consecutively at any Bullseye target, provided others are wait- 
ing to fire. 

VIIL — MATCHES. 

1. The commencement of the Annual Meetings will be sig- 
nalled by the firing of a gun, or blowing a horn at intervals 
of fifteen minutes. The first will be the signal for competitors 
and scorekeepers to assemble at the firing points, and the sec- 
ond to commence firing. 

2. The matches will take place, if possible, at the hour pre- 
viously named. Any deviation from the programmes will be 
posted upon the Bulletin-board as long beforehand as practi- 
cable. The posting upon such BuUethi-board will be considered 
sufficient fiotice to all competitors of evo'ything so posted. It should 
be examined by all competitors daily, both morning and after- 
noon, before the shooting commences. 

3. In team matches, at Annual Meetings, an officer will be 
assigned to each of the firing points as Supervisor, and will, in 
connection with the Scorekeeper, keep a record of the firing ; 
and any disagreement between such Officer and Scorekeeper will 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 3 I 5 

be decided by the Executive Officer, subject to appeal, as pro- 
vided for in the Regulations. 

4. Each Team may appoint a responsible person to act as 
Supervisor, whose duty it shall be to see that the rules of the 
N. R. A. are strictly adhered to by the team at whose target he 
may be assigned. 

5. No practice will be allowed upon the Range on any of the 
days of the Annual Meetings, unless specially authorized by 
the Executive Officer, This does not apply to days upon which 
special matches of the Association, or of affiliating associations 
or clubs, take place. 

IX. — ENTRIES. 

A. — ANNUAL MEETINGS. 

1. In all cases competitors for prizes offered to military or- 
ganizations must be either officers or regularly enlisted mem- 
bers in good standing of the Regiment, Battalion, Company, 
or Troop which they represent, and shall have been such for 
at least three months prior to the match for which they are 
entered. 

2. Entries must be made at the office of the Association, in 
New York Cit}', prior to the Sunday preceding the commence- 
ment of the meetings, and all subsequent entries shall be called 
Post Entries, and a charge of 25 per cent additional will be 
imposed upon all such Post Entries. This does not apply to 
re-entry matches. 

3. Competitors who are prevented from being present at any 
meeting shall have the entrance fees they have paid returned 
after the meeting, provided that they send their tickets, and give 
written notice to the Secretary before the day on which the 
prize for which they have entered has been announced for 
competition. 

'4. Competitors prevented from competing by illness will 
receive back their entrance fees in full, on production of a 
medical certificate and their entry tickets. 

5. The holders of post entry tickets may be ordered to fire 
whenever target accommodations can be provided, but should 



3l6 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

they be precluded from competing by deficiency of target 
accommodation, their entrance fees will be returned to them, 
the Executive Officer not being able to guarantee accommoda- 
tion for all such entries. 

6. All entries are received upon the express condition that 
the competitor is to appear at the firing point at the exact time 
named upon his score card, and complete his score within the 
limitation of time prescribed, regardless of weather or any other 
cause. 

7. The same person shall not be a member of more than one 
team in the same match. 

8. Competitors selected to shoot in team matches, or who are 
detailed to shoot off a tie, at a particular hour, and who find 
that such engagements will interfere with their shooting in other 
competitions, must at once communicate with the Executive 
Officer. These cases will be provided for, when possible^ by 
altering the hour ; and when that cannot be done, the entry will 
be cancelled and the entrance fee refunded, except in cases of 
ties, when he takes the next lowest prize. 

B. GENERAL REGULATIONS. 

I 

1. A register ticket may be transferred at any time before 
the firing for the match has commenced, by exchanging it at the 
office of the Statistical Officer for one having the name of the 
new holder. It is available only for the hour and target for 
which it was originally issued. Any erasure or alteration of 
hour or target not initialed by the Executive Officer will render 
the ticket invalid. 

2. No post entries shall be received for any competition after 
the firing in such competition has commenced, unless expressly 
permitted by the terms of a match. 

X.— SHOOTING. 

I. Competitors must be present at the firing points punctually 
at the time stated upon their tickets, or forfeit their right to 
shoot. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 317 

2. After a competitor has joined a squad he shall not quit it 
until he has completed his firing, or retired. 

3. No two competitors squadded to fire at the same time 
shall shoot with the same rifle. 

4. In all competitions confined to members of military- 
organizations, competitors shall shoot in a uniform, to consist 
of a military head-dress, uniform jacket or coat, and a body 
belt, to be worn as is usual in their corps. 

5. In each match of the Annual Meetings, except where 
otherwise stated, the squad or team assigned to each target will 
be required to commence firing at the time named on the score 
card, and to continue firing at the rate of one shot per minute 
until the completion of the score. 

6. The time for each squad to commence and close, will be 
signalled by firing a gun or blowing a horn every thirty minutes, 
from 9 A.M. to 5.30 P.M. ; and no firing by any of its members 
will be permitted except between those signals. In case a 
competitor, without fault on his part, has been prevented from 
finishing his score within that time, he may apply to the Execu- 
tive Officer for further assignment, the granting of which will 
be in the discretion of that officer. 

7. Competitors retiring from matches forfeit all claims 
therein. 

8. No sighting shots will be allowed in any jnatch, but targets 
will be assigned as Bullseye Ta?'gets at which competitors may 
practice at any time, provided such practice does not interfere 
with their presence at the designated time at the firing point to 
which they may have been assigned, or in case of teams, after 
the hour named for the commencement of their shooting. 

9. In all competitions restricted to military rifles, the com- 
petitors shall place themselves at the firing point by twos, and 
shall fire alternately until they have fired all their shots. 

10. In other competitions the competitors shall fire their 
shots alternately throughout the squad. 

11. No rifle shall be cleaned or wiped out, except between 
ranges, unless specially allowed by the terms of the match, 



3l8 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

12. Whenever the danger signal is displayed, competitors 
about to fire will be required to open the breech block of their 
rifles (if breech-loaders). If they leave the firing point they 
must withdraw the cartridge. 

13. Any competitor delaying his squad, will be passed by. 
In no case will the firing be delayed to enable a competitor to 
procure a rifle. 

14. Competitors must shoot their scores at different distances, 
in the order named in the conditions of the competition. 

15. In all competitions, unless otherwise provided by their 
terms, competitors will be allowed one minute to each shot. 

16. Warming shots must be fired into the bank between the 
targets. 

XI. — POSITION. 

UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED IN THE TERMS OF THE MATCH, 
SHALL BE AS FOLLOWS : 

1. In all matches (except those specially for carbines), the 
position up to and including 300 yards, shall be standing. The 
elbow may be rested against the body. 

2. In carbine matches, the position at 200 yards shall be 
standing ; at 300 yards, kneeling or sitting ; over that distance, 
any position (as prescribed for infantry). 

3. In all other matches, at distances above 300 yards, any 
position may be taken without artificial rest to the rifle or body. 

4. One-armed competitors will be allowed to use false arms 
without extra support, in the standing, sitting, and kneeling 
positions. 

5. In all cases the rifle shall be held clear of the ground. 

XII. — TIES. 
I. Ties shall be decided as follows ; — 

A. — IN INDIVIDUAL SHOOTING. 

I. When the firing takes place at more than one distance, by 
the total score made at the longest distance ; and if still a tie, 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 319 

and there be three distances in the competition by the total 
score at the second distance. 

2. By the fewest outers in the entire score. 

3. By the fewest inners in tlie entire score. 

4. In handicap matches (after the preceding), by the fewest 
CENTRES in the entire score. 

5. li still a tie, by inverse order of shots, counting singly 
from the last to the first. 

6. In matches where two or more scores added together count, 
if still a tie, by adding together the last shots of each single 
score, and if still a tie, by adding together the next to the last 
and so on. 

7. By firing three shots at the longest range, and if still a tie, 
by firing single shots until the tie is decided. 

B. IN TEAM SHOOTING. 

1. By the aggregate total scores made at the different dis- 
tances in inverse order. 

2. By the fewest outers in the entire score. 

3. By the fewest inners in the entire score. 

4. By the total of each round in inverse order. 

5. By the competitor on each side who has made the highest 
score, firing five rounds at the longest distance. 

c. — in handicap matches. 

I. In case of ties in handicap matches, the handicap shall be 
added to the first shot or shots scored below a bull. 

IT. The names of competitors who have to shoot off ties will 
be posted on the Bulletin-board as soon after each match as 
practicable. 

III. When the ties are shot off, one sighting shot shall be 
allowed without charge. 

IV. Competitors not present at the firing points at the hour 
named for shooting off ties, lose their right to shoot. 



320 MODERN AMERICAN RTFLES. 

V. If, having forfeited their right to compete, they shall still 
be within the number of prize winners, they shall take any prize 
that may be allotted to them by the Executive Committee. 

XIII. — PRIZES. 

1. Unless otherwise specified, no competitor will be allowed 
to take more than one prize in any competition. 

2. Prize winners, upon application to the Statistical Officer on 
the Range, will receive certificates, which must be given up on 
receiving the prizes. 

3. Prizes will be delivered on the Range at the close of the 
meeting, under direction of the Prize Committee, unless other- 
wise specified. 

4. Any trophy competed for annually must be delivered to 
the Secretary of the National Rifle Association, by the organi- 
zation or individual holding it, at least one week before the 
opening of the meeting at which it is again to be competed for. 

5. All prizes and Bullseye money not claimed within thirty 
days after the day on which the same was won, shall be for- 
feited to the Association. 

XIV. — PENALTIES. 

Competitors must make themselves acquainted with the regu- 
lations, as well as with the conditions of any match for which 
they may have entered, as the plea of ignorance of either of 
them will not be entertained. 

DISQUALIFICATION. 

Any competitor — 

{a) — Who shall fire in a name other than that under which 
he entered, or who shall fire twice for the same prize, unless 
permitted by the conditions of the competition to do so; or — 

(V) — Who shall be guilty of any conduct considered by the 
Board of Directors or the Executive Committee as discreditable ; 
or — 

(r) — Who shall be guilty of falsifying his score or being 
accessory thereto ; or — ■ 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 32 1 

(^) — Who shall offer a bribe of any kind to an employee — 
shall, upon the occurrence being proved to the satisfaction of 
the Board o! Directors or the Executive Committee, forfeit all 
his entrance fees, be forever disqualified from competing at any 
time upon the Range of the Association, and shall not be enti- 
tled to have any prize won by him at the time of meeting 
awarded to him. 



EXCLUSION FROM FURTHER COMPETITION. 

1. Any competitor who shall be detected in an evasion of the 
conditions prescribed for the conduct of any match, shall be 
ruled out of such competition, 

2. Any competitor, in any meeting or match, refusing to obey 
any instructions of the Executive Officer, or his assistants, or 
violating any of these regulations, or being guilty of disorderly 
conduct, or being intoxicated, will be immediately ruled out of 
all further competitions during such meeting or match, and for- 
feit his entrance fees ; and may also be reported to the Board 
of Directors or the Executive Committee, and be by them dis- 
qualified from the use of the Range. 

3. Any competitor firing when the danger flag or trap disk is 
shown at the target or firing point, or knowingly discharging his 
rifle except at a target to which he has been assigned, or into 
the blowing-off pits, or as may be directed by an Officer, shall 
be debarred from all further competitions during the meeting, 
and shall forfeit his entrance fees. This shall not apply to a 
competitor accidentally firing at the wrong target, when no 
danger disk is up. 

4. Any person discharging a rifle or snapping a cap within the 
enclosure, except in accordance with the regulations for shoot- 
ing, may, at the discretion of the Executive Officer, be required 
to leave the ground. 

5. Any competitor or other person found with a loaded rifle, 
except at the firing points and when about to shoot, shall be 
debarred from further competition during that meeting or com- 
petition. 



322 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

6. Any person, whether a competitor or not, interfering with 
any of the firing squads, or annoying them in any way, will be 
at once expelled from the ground, 

7. Any competitor discharging his rifle accidentally, either 
by his own want of care, or by reason of any defect in the rifle, 
maybe disqualified from further competition in the match at the 
discretion of the Executive Ofiicer. 

8. Should a competitor lose his register ticket, omit to take 
it to the firing point, fail to attend at the prescribed hour, or 
give a wrong ticket, and so by his own neglect miss the oppor- 
tunity given to him of competing for the prize for which his 
ticket was issued, his claim in regard to such competition shall 
be cancelled. 

9. Any person firing on a wrong target will be reported by 
the scorer to the Executive or Range Ofiicer present, and will be 
fined $1.00, or be debarred from further competition; or both, 
in the discretion of the Executive Officer. 

10. Any competitor, who, after taking up his position for 
shooting and in proceeding to adjust his sights or change his 
position, shall not hold his rifle vertically, or with the muzzle 
towards the target, will be fined $1.00. 

11. Any person ruled out of any meeting or competition shall 
forfeit all entrance fees. 

XV, 

1. All regulations heretofore adopted and inconsistent here- 
with, are hereby repealed. 

2. Any of these regulations may be temporarily suspended 
or changed at any time by the Board of Directors or Executive 
Committee, 

3. These regulations shall take effect immediately. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 323 



BY-LAWS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS 
RIFLE ASSOCIATION. 



I. — NAME AND OBJECT. 

This Association shall be called The Massachusetts Rifle 
Association. Its object shall be to promote rifle practice in 
Massachusetts. 

II. — OFFICERS. 

The officers of this Association shall consist of a President, 
two Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer, a Secretary, and a Board of 
fifteen Directors. The officers shall be chosen annually by 
ballot by the members of the Association, — with the exception 
of the President, who shall be chosen by the Directors from 
their own number, — and shall hold their offices for one year, 
and until others are chosen in their stead. The Directors shall 
also choose a counsellor, executive officers, and statistical 
officers, to hold their offices during the pleasure of the Board. 

III. — MANAGEMENT. 

1. The Board of Directors shall control the affairs of the 
Association, take cognizance of all infractions of the Charter 
and By-Laws, and fill vacancies which may occur in the offices 
of the Association, until the time of the next annual meeting. 

2. A quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of five 
members. 

3. The Board of Directors shall, for their government, from 
time to time, make by-laws, rules, and regulations, and shooting- 



324 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

rules for the government of the Association, not inconsistent 
with these By-Laws. 

4. The interpretation of the Rules and By-Laws shall rest 
with the Board of Directors. 

5. Any Director may at any time examine the records of the 
Secretary, or inspect the accounts of the Treasurer. 

6. The following Standing Committees, each to consist of 
three members, shall be elected by the Directors, during the 
month of January, in each year, or as soon thereafter as may 
be: — 

Finance Committee, Range Committee, Membership Com- 
mittee, Prize Committee, Team Match Committee, and Glass 
Ball Committee. 

The Directors shall also choose at the same time four mem- 
bers, who, with the President, shall constitute an Executive 
Committee. 

IV. — DUTIES OF OFFICERS. 

1. The President of the Association, or, in his absence, one 
of the Vice-Presidents, shall authorize the call of all meetings 
of the Board of Directors, and shall call special meetings of the 
Association at the request of four of the Board of Directors, or 
of ten members of the Association. He shall have the right, 
ex-officio, to be present at meetings of the committees. 

2. The Secretary of the Association shall notify each mem- 
ber of the Board of Directors of all its meetings, and each 
member of the Association of every meeting of the Associa- 
tion ; issue all other authorized notices to members ; post on 
the Range a copy of all new rules made by the Directors ; 
make and keep a true record of all meetings of the Directors, 
and of the Association ; have custody of the books and papers, 
and the corporate seal of the Association, and conduct all 
correspondence. 

3. The Treasurer shall collect and have charge of the funds 
of the Association, and pay such bills as shall have been 
approved by the Finance Committee. He shall keep account 
of his transactions, and make a detailed report thereof, with 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 325 

vouchers annexed, when required by the Directors, and an 
annual report to the Association at its annual meeting. He 
shall give boirds in such sum as shall be fixed by the Directors, 

4. The Statistical Officer shall keep a record of the statistics 
of the Association, and account and pay over to the Treasurer, 
weekly, all moneys received by him, less his disbursements in 
the various matches of the Association, with schedules giving 
an itemized account of the same, and shall be accountable to 
the Treasurer for all score cards and other tickets received by 
him for the use of the Association. He shall direct the ser- 
vices of the clerical employees at the meetings for competition. 

5. The Finance Committee shall have the general supervision 
of the finances of the Association. They shall, from time to 
time, examine the accounts of the Treasurer and Statistical 
Officer, and recommend such methods in keeping the same as 
may seem for the interest of the Association. No obligations 
of the Association, beyond those necessary for current wants, 
shall be made until the Finance Committee shall have con- 
sidered and reported upon the necessity and propriety of the 
plan proposed. 

6. The Range Committee shall have charge of the Range, 
and all the property of the Association connected therewith. 
They shall keep the Range supplied by the purchase of all 
necessary articles for the use of the Range-keeper and the 
Markers. They shall audit all claims and bills against the 
Association for labor on and supplies used at the Range. But 
this committee shall have no power to make contracts or pur- 
chases in the name of the Association, for anything more than 
the usual supplies, unless authorized by a formal vote of the 
Board of Directors. They shall appoint a Range-keeper, 
Markers, and such other assistants as may be necessary, and 
direct their services. They shall require the Range-keeper to 
make returns of the property in his charge, — which returns 
shall be examined and indorsed by the committee or its chair- 
man, and presented to the Board of Directors. They shall 
make such temporary rules and regulations for the use of the 
grounds and the targets as shall seem necessary. They shall 
generally do and perform everything needful to protect the 



326 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

interests of the Association and secure a successful manage- 
ment of the Range. 

7. The Executive Committee shall have general supervision 
of the affairs of the Association, not inconsistent with the 
powers and duties of other officers and committees as set forth, 
and shall report their action to the Directors for approval. 
They shall inquire into and report upon all infractions of the 
rules and regulations of the Association by any of its members, 
and recommend action thereon. 



v. — THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. 

1. The stated meetings of the Board of Directors shall be 
held on the first Tuesday of each month. Special meetings 
may be called at any time by the President, or, in his absence, 
by one of the Vice-Presidents, and shall be called by either 
of them upon the request of three members. 

2. All special committees for any purpose shall be appointed 
by the presiding officer, unless otherwise ordered. 

3. Any member of the Board, who shall, in its opinion, 
conduct himself in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the 
Association, may be removed from the Board of Directors, by 
a two-thirds vote of all the members of the Board, at any 
stated meeting, provided the member accused shall have, at 
least ten days previously, been personally notified, in writing, 
of the charges against him, and a hearing given him thereon at 
a stated meeting therein specified. 

4. Neglect on the part of any Director to attend six succes- 
sive meetings of the Board shall be deemed a tender of the 
resignation of his office. But the Board may excuse any mem- 
ber for such neglect, and, before his resignation is accepted, 
under this By-Law, the member in default must be specially 
notified of the same. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 327 

VI. — MEMBERSHIP. 

Any person giving his name, age, and address, shall, upon 
paying the sum of ten dollars, become a member of the Asso- 
ciation, subject to the right of the Board of Directors to reject 
his name and return his fee, in case they shall deem it required 
by the interests of the Association. 

VII. — RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF MEMBERS. 

1. All members of the Association shall be entitled to equal 
rights and privileges. 

2. All members shall subscribe to the By-Laws. 

3. The annual dues shall be three dollars, payable in advance 
on the first day of January in each year, and if the dues of any 
member shall remain unpaid for three months thereafter, said 
membership may be declared void by the Board of Directors. 

4. Any member can become a member for life by the pay- 
ment, in one sum, of twent3^-five dollars, and shall thereafter be 
exempt from all dues and assessments. 

5. Any member who may refuse to pay any indebtedness to 
the Association, on demand, shall forfeit his membership in the 
Association, and cannot be reinstated in such membership, 
except by vote of the Board of Directors, and payment of all 
arrears. 

6. No member shall be allowed to transfer his rights of 
membership. 

7. Any member whose conduct shall be pronounced, by 
vote of the Board of Directors, as endangering, or likely to 
endanger, the welfare, interest, or character of the Association, 
shall forfeit his membership. Such vote shall not be taken 
without giving two weeks' notice to the offender of the charges 
made against him, and affording him an opportunity of being 
heard in his defence. 

8. Any member having complaints or suggestions to make 
as to the management of the Association must do so, in writ- 
ing, to the Directors. 



328 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

9. No member shall take any property whatever, belonging 
to the Association, from its rooms or grounds, except on the 
authority of a resolution of the Directors. 

10. Any member wishing to resign shall make his resigna- 
tion, in writing, to the Secretary. 

11. All rights and interest of a member in the property and 
privileges of the Association shall cease with the termination 
of his membership. 

12. The scores made by the members shall be recorded in 
such manner as the Board of Directors shall, from time to time, 
prescribe. In case of a challenge given to, or received from, 
other marksmen, the representatives of the Association shall be 
selected by the Team Committee. 

13. Non-members may be permitted to use the Range under 
such restrictions, and on payment of such amount, as may be 
fixed by the Board of Directors. The Range shall be free to 
members at such times as may be fixed by the Board ; at other 
times each shooting party must pay such rates of target hire as 
may be established by the Board of Directors. Provided, That 
no targets shall be let to shooting parties on match-days of the 
Association, except at the discretion of the Executive Officer. 

14. No betting shall be allowed on the grounds of the 
Association. 

VIIL — MEETINGS. 

1. The members of the Association shall hold an annual 
meeting on the second Tuesday of January in each year, and 
such special meetings as may be called pursuant to these By- 
Laws. If the annual meeting shall not take place at the time 
fixed, it shall be held as soon after as convenient, and the 
officers and Directors whose term of office shall have expired 
shall hold over until their successors shall have been appointed. 

2. Fifteen members present at a general or special meeting 
shall form a quorum for the transaction of business. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 329 



IX. — AMENDMENT OF THE BY-LAWS. 

Any proposition to amend these By-Laws shall be submitted 
in writing, with the signatures of the persons proposing the 
same, to the Board of Directors ; the Board shall consider it at 
their next meeting, and submit it to the Association at its next 
meeting, notice being given to all members of the purport of 
the proposition. A two-thirds vote of all members present shall 
then be required for the adoption of the proposed amendment. 



330 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 



RULES GOVERNING COMPETITIONS. 



I. — MANAGEMENT, 

1. All meetings for competitions will be conducted by an 
Executive Officer, aided by a Statistical Officer and Assistants. 

2. The Executive Officer shall have control of the Range 
for the conduct of matches, and shall give such directions to 
the employees of the Association as in his judgment are neces- 
sary for the proper management of the same, and for the pres- 
ervation of order. 

3. The Executive Officer and his assistants are required to 
see that the regulations, and such directions as the Executive 
Officer may give, are rigidly complied with by competitors and 
all other persons upon the Range. 

4. They will see that the squads of competitors are stationed 
in rear of firing points, and that each competitor remains there 
until called by the scorekeeper to take his position at the firing 
point. The scorekeepers will be seated in rear of the firing 
points. 

5. Scorekeepers shall, as each shot is signalled, call in a 
loud voice the name of the competitor and the value of the 
shot, and, at the conclusion of the score of each competitor, 
announce in like manner his name and total score. 

6. All competitors shall be allowed to examine the records of 
the scorekeeper during the progress of the match, but in such 
a manner as not to interfere with, or inconvenience, the score- 
keeper. 

7. Any competitor feeling himself aggrieved by the ruling of 
the Executive Officer or of the Statistical Officer, may make the 



MODERN AMERICAN' RIFLES. 33 1 

Secretary a statement of his grievance in writing, which shall 
be handed ai once to the Executive Committee for its consid- 
eration. The decision of the Executive Committee shall be 
final, subject, however, to the discretion of said committee, or 
any two members of it, to refer the matter to the board of 
Directors'for its decision. 

IL — RIFLES. 

The rifles allowed in the competitions are : ist, Military rifles ; 
2d, Special Military rifles; 3d, Any rifles, — and must comply 
with the following conditions, viz. : — 

1. Military Rifles, to be such as have been adopted by the 
United States Government, for use in the army, or by any State 
or Territory for the use of its uniformed militia, except such 
rifles as have been specially issued to sharp-shooters or for 
experimental purposes. Filing or altering the sights of such 
rifles, except as authorized by the proper military authorities, is 
strictly prohibited. 

2. Special Military Rifles, to be fitted with an arrangement 
for fixing a bayonet or such other device as may be employed 
to take the place of a bayonet. Stock to be sufficiently strong 
for service purposes, and to be fitted wtth a metal cleaning rod 
and swivels for a sling ; weight (without bayonet) not to exceed 
nine and one-quarter pounds. In all military rifles the minimum 
trigger pull shall be six pounds. Sights may be such as are 
allowed on military rifles, or of such other pattern as may have 
been approved by the Board of Directors of the National Rifle 
Association. The sight protector of the front sight may be 
used as a shade for the same. 

3. Any Rifle, maximum weight ten pounds, minimum pull 
of trigger three pounds ; sights of any description, except tele- 
scope, magnifying, and such front aperture sights as solid disks 
or bushes pierced in the centre, which cover the target so as to 
conceal the danger signal when displayed. No stirrup con- 
structed of metal or other substance, connected to the rifle by 
straps of any kind, for the purpose of taking up or lessening 
its recoil, will be allowed. 



332 Modern American rifles. 

4. The Usual military sling and swivels may be used. 

5. Competitors shall submit their rifles and ammunition for 
inspection whenever required. 

6. No hair or set trigger will be allowed. 

7. No fixed or artificial rests will be allowed. 

8. 3, 6, and 7 do not apply to rest-matches. 



III. — TARGETS. 

The targets, commonly known as Creedmoor targets, shall be 
divided into three classes, as follows : — 

1. First Class, to be used at all distances over 600 yards. 
Target, 6 X 12 feet, 

Bullseye, circular, 36 inches in diameter. 

Centre, " 54 

Inner, square, 6 feet X 6 feet. 

Outer, " 6 feet X 12 feet. 

2. Second Class, to be used at all distances over 300 to and 
including 600 yards. Target, 6x6 feet. 

Bullseye, circular, 22 inches in diameter. 
Centre, " 38 " " 

Inner, " 54 " " 

Outer, the remainder of the target. 

3. Third Class, to be used up to and including 300 yards. 
Target, 4X6 feet. 

Bullseye, circular, 8 inches in diameter. 
Centre, "26 " " 

Inner, " 46 " " 

Outer, square, 4X6 feet. 

The following described targets are recognized, and may be 
used on any occasion ordered by the Directors : — 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES, 



333 



Count 


12. 




II. 




lO. 




9- 




8. 




7- 




6. 




5- 




4- 




3- 




2. 



MASSACHUSETTS TARGET, 4X6 FEET. 

Bullseye, circular, 4 in. diam. ) Cn 
" " 8 " " ) Bu 



Creedmoor 
llseye. 



I2>^ " 

17 " " 

2I>^ " " 

26 " " 

31 " " 

36 " " 

41 " " 

46 " " 

4X6 feet. 



Centre. 



Inner 



Outer. 



Count 


12. 




II. 




10. 




9- 




8. 




7- 




6. 




5- 




4- 




3- 




2. 








I. 



" RING TARGET," 2X2 FEET. 

Bullseye, circular, 2 inches diam. 



4 
6 




8 




10 




12 




14 
16 




18 




20 




22 




24 


." . " 



GERMAN RING TARGET. 

Bullseye, 12 inches. The whole target, including bullseyes, 
divided into circles ^ inch apart, the centre circle being i^ 
inches and counting from 25 down to i. 



STANDARD AMERICAN TARGET, 4X6 FEET. 

Bullseye, circular, 3.36 inches diam. 



Count 


10. 




9- 




8. 




7- 




6. 




5- 




4- 




3- 




2. 




I. 



5-54 




8 


00 




II 


00 




14 


80 




19 


68 




26. 


CO 




34 


22 




46 


00 




4 


X 


6 feet 



334 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

CARTONS FOR REST SHOOTING. 

Count 12. Circular 1.41 inches diam. 

" II. " 2.33 " " 

IV. — MARKING, SCORING, AND SIGNALLING. 

The value of shots on Massachusetts, Ring, and Standard 
American targets is shown on a clock-face dial placed near the 
target, and the location of shot by a small disk placed over the 
bullet-hole. 

1. On Creedmoor target. Bullseye counts 5 ; signal, white 
circular disk. Centre counts 4 ; signal, red circular disk. Inner 
counts 3 ; white and black signal, disk. Outer counts 2 ; signal, 
black disk. Ricochet counts R ; signal, red flag waved twice, 
right and left, in front of the target. Ricochet hits will be 
marked out after the flag signal. Shots on the wrong target, if 
not scored, will be marked %. 

The carton (count 6) on first-class target is 22 inches ; on 
second-class targets 1 1 inches. 

2. When a shot strikes any part of a target outside of the 
boundary of the " Outer," a square red disk will be raised and 
lowered in front of the bullseye twice. Such shot is termed an 
"Angle-iron," and will be marked A. 

3. Challenges will only be permitted at the discretion of the 
Executive Officer, and the challenging party must deposit fifty 
cents, to be forfeited in case the challenge proves unfounded. 
The Executive Officer may, in his discretion, challenge the 
marking of any shot the allowance of which would be unjust to 
other competitors, and correct the score accordingly. 

4. Any objection to the scoring of a shot as signalled, or to 
one not signalled, must be made before another shot shall have 
been fired on the same target. 

5. Scorers will, in cases where two disks of differing value 
are shown for one shot, record the value of the one first shown ; 
but it shall be the right of the shooter to challenge the scoring 
(without being required to deposit), and the Executive Officer 
may decide upon the evidence the actual value of the shot. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 335 

Where two shots strike the target simultaneously, the shooter 
shall have scored to him the shot of the higher value. 

6. Any alteration of a scoring-ticket must be witnessed by an 
officer in charge of the firing point, and indorsed with his 
initials. 

7. Double entries are prohibited, no shot being allowed to 
count in more than one match. 

8. No sighting shots shall be allowed except on targets 
specially designated for that purpose by the Executive Officer, 
and in no case on targets on which a match is in progress, unless 
in an emergency, to be decided by the Executive Officer 

9. Unfinished scores shall be considered worthless after hav- 
ing been withdrawn from the scorer, and no shots can be claimed 
under or by virtue of the same after having been so withdrawn. 

10. No scorer is allowed to have at one time more than one 
score card for each shooter (except at trap-shooting), and no 
shooter is allowed to shoot without having an unfinished score 
card deposited with the scorer. 



v. — POSITION. 

1. In all matches the position up to and including three 
hundred yards shall be standing. The elbow may be rested 
against the body. 

2. At distances above three hundred yards any position may 
be taken without artificial rests to the rifle or body. 

VI. — TIES. 

Ties shall be decided as follows, viz. : — 

A. At more than one distance, whether by individuals or 
teams : — 

1. By the score at the longest distance. 

2. By the score at next longest distance. 

3. By the fewest misses. 

4. By the fewest outers. 



336 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

5. By the fewest inners. 

6. By the fewest centres. 

7. By the inverse order of shots, from last to first, as actually 
fired. 

8. In individual shooting, by firing single shots at the longest 
distance ; in team shooting, by firing one shot by each man at 
the longest distance. 

B. At one distance, whether by individuals or teams : — 

1. By the fewest misses, outers, etc., as per foregoing Rule 
A, 3 to 7, inclusive. 

2. In individual shooting, by firing three shots, the merit of 
which shall be decided by the above rule; if still a tie, by single 
shots. 

3. In team shooting, by firing one shot by each man of the 
team, repeated until a team wins upon the aggregate of the 
same. 

C. At one or more distances, individual shooting, where two or 

more scores are required to win : — 

1. By foregoing Rule A, 3 to 7, inclusive. 

2. By inverse order of shots, treating the scores, in the order 
in which they are made, as one continuous score. 

3. By shooting as per Rule B, 2. 

D. Ties in re-entry matches to be decided by the next highest 

score or scores. 

In single-score matches, on all targets, the score containing 
the lowest shot shall rank lowest; if still a tie, by inverse 
order of shots ; and, if still a tie, by each competitor shooting 
three shots, until decided. 

No scores with handicap shall exceed a perfect score. 

Competitors who have to shoot off ties will be notified as 
soon after each match as practicable. When the ties are shot 
off, one sighting-shot shall be allowed without charge. Com- 
petitors not present at the firing points at the hour named for 
shooting off the ties lose their right to shoot, and will be placed 
accordingly. 



MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 337 

VII. — GENERAL RULES. 

1. Temporary discontinuance of matches, on account of bad 
weather, and the closing limit for receiving entries, shall be at 
the discretion of the Executive Officer. 

2. An entry-ticket, except when sold in block, may be trans- 
ferred at any reasonable time, by presenting it to the Statisti- 
cal Officer for exchange. Any erasure or substitution of name 
by the holder will forfeit the ticket. 

3. In single-entry matches no entry shall be made after the 
firing begins if any participant objects. 

4. Bullseye certificates not presented within thirty days, and 
prizes not claimed within three months after having been won, 
shall be forfeited to the Association. 

Competitors will have choice of prizes unless otherwise 
stated. 

The Executive Officer shall have power to appoint assistant 
officers and supply Badges to same. 

Regular Shooting Days for Rifle shall be every Saturday and 
such other days as the Directors may order. 

VIIL — PENALTIES. 

1. Competitors must make themselves acquainted with the 
regulations, as the plea of ignorance will not be entertained. 

2. No competitor shall be allowed to use more than one 
name besides his own in any one match. 

3. A competitor failing to report at the time and target to 
which he is assigned, or shooting at pool or practice after the 
hour set for the simultaneous opening of a match, shall forfeit 
his entry. (The last clause will not prevent pool shooting 
between scores in re-entry matches.) Any member shooting 
at pool or practice between shots of a score shall forfeit the 
score. 

4. All competitors and other persons must preserve order 
and decorum, submit to the direction and decisions of the 
Executive Officer, and make all objections and protests, if 



338 MODERN AMERICAN RIFLES. 

any, to the proper officials, in a manner which will not disturb 
others. 

5. Rifles may be discharged only in firing at the target in 
pools or matches, when the danger flag is not exposed, or into 
such warming-pits as may be designated (in that case without 
bullet) and any competitor or other person discharging a rifle 
otherwise, or having a loaded shell inserted in his gun while 
elsewhere than upon the actual firing point, may be disqualified 
for the time being, or fined a sum not exceeding three dollars, 
at the discretion of the Executive Officer. 

6. Any violation of rules or discreditable conduct which 
the Executive Officer may consider of such magnitude as to 
require it, shall be reported to the Directors for their action. 

7. Any shooters firing upon the wrong iron target shall be 
fined one dollar, and on the wrong paper target fifty cents, to 
be paid before he proceeds with his score, and he shall be 
recorded a miss. 



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TAKES RIFLE BARRELS OF 
DIFFERENT CALIBRE, AND 

A SHOT BARREL. 



Send your Stock and have 
one of the new .25-Calibre 
Barrels fitted, of 

24. 26 or 28 




INCHES IN 
LENGTH. 






WE 
ARE NOW 
PREPARED 
TO FILL ORDERS 
FOR 

BARRELS 

FOR THE 

.22-CA LIBRE U. M. C, 

LONG RIFLE CARTRIDGE. 



After years of trial this Rifle remains 
the favorite arm of expert riflemen and 
hunters. For fine target shooting it is 
unsurpassed and used by the leading 
American shots. Its compactness, por- 
tability, and unusual wearing qualities 
are unequalled, and make it the chosen 
arm for all varieties of shooting. 



s:E:35rx^ iFOia c^t^XjOG-xje. 



MASS. ARMS CO., CHICOPEE FALLS, MASS. 



TJ. ]V[. C. 



AMMUNITION 



IS ITOTEZD wo:r jlcctjir^cy. 



THE HIGHEST SCORES ON RECORD FOR RIFLES AND 
REVOLVERS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH THE 

Factory-made Cartridges 



OF 



The union metallic cartridge Co. 





PAPER SHOT SHELLS. 

Trap, First Quality, Star and Club Brands, 
Loaded or Empty. 



Always ask your dealer for the "U. 31. C." brand. 



FACTORY, 



BRIDGEPORT, CONN. 



Lyman's Patent Rifle Sights. 

• After years ol careful investigation under every variety of conditions, Riflemen 
Throughout the World unhesitatingly pronounce Lyman's Sights 

THE BEST YET PRODUCED. 

It has many times been proven that one accustomed to Lyman's Sights can shoot 
with them at the target as well as with special target sights. With Lyman's Sights on 
a hunting rifle much is gained which is found impossible to secure in other sights. 
Lyman's Sights prevent all blurring, and many who can no longer see ordinary sights 
can do excellent shooting with Lyman's Sights. These Sights can be speedily changed, 
and for quick snap shooting, or at moving objects, they have no equal. 

Lyman's Patent Combination Rear Sight on Rifle. 

The cut gives an approx'- 
mate idea of how the siaht 
appears when aiming. It\iill 
be noticed that the top of rifle 
barrel and front sight are sec n 
as distinctly as if no i-< ii 
Price, $3.00. 




sight was used. 



REDUCED CUT. 




hunting. 



Lyman's Patent 

Wind-Gauge 

Sight. 

The Best Rear 
Sight Made. 



Used without the 
large disk, the 
principle of this 
sight is the same 
as the Combina- 
tion Sight. For 
target shooting it 
is unequalled, and 
it is an improve- 
ment on the Com- 
bination Sight for 
Price, $5.00. 




Lyman's Patent Ivory Bead Front 
Sight. 

This Sight gives the sportsman a clear 
while bead, which can be 
seen distinctly against any 
^object in the woods or 
in bright sunlight. 
Price, $1.00. 




Lyman's Patent Improved Ivory 
Hunting Front Sight. 

This Sight is better than the Bead Sight 
for a hunting rifle. The 
ivory is so well protected 
by the surrounding mttal 
that there is no danger of 
its being injured. Price, 50 Cents, 




LYMAN'S LEAF SIGHT. 





Spirit Level. 
Patent applied for. Price, $1.00. Price, $1.00. 

Anj' of the above can be used to replace the rear Crotch Sight which is usually on 
the barrel when the rifle is purchased. This sight should always be removed. 

Send for Catalogue, giving testimonials and full information regarding sights 
and rifles. Address 

WM. LYMAN, P.O. Box 10, Middlefield, Conn. 



The wurfflein 



^reech - [ oading 

RIFLE 




FOR 

SAFETY, 

SPEED i" Loading, 

EFFECTIVENESS 

AND 

ACCURACY 

It Has No Equal. 



^ Made with INTERCHANGEABLE 
SHOT-GUN AND RIFLE BARRELS, in 
ALL CALIBRES, RIM OR CENTRE- 
FIRE, TO FIT SAME STOCK AND 
ACTION. 

FOR PRICE-LIST, ADDRESS- 



WM. WURFFLEIN, 208 NORTH SECOND ST. 

PHILADELPHIA, PA., U. S. A. 



THE J. STEfENS ARMS AND TOOL CO. 

Manufacture a Special Line of Firearnns. 



RIFLES for Target Shooting. 

RIFLES for Hunting. 
LADIES' RIFLES, 

BOYS' RIFLES. 

POCKET RIFLES. 

All the above in various Calibres, Weights 
and Styles. 

Stevens' Rifles, 





Stevens' Pistols. 



Pistols for Target Shooting. 
LADIES' PISTOLS. 

BOYS' PISTOLS. 
Pistols for Game Shooting. 

The largest line of Pistols made in the world; 
for every purpose and in various Weights 
and Calibres. 



All interested in rifle and pistol shooting should send 
for Illustrated Catalogue and circulars describing the latest 
achievements in modern firearms. Sent free on application. 

The J. Stevens Arms and Tool Co., 

CHICOPEE FALLS, MASS., U. S. A. 



"WE HAVE NOTHING TO SAY" 

ABOUT THE 

IDEAL RE-LOADING TOOLS. 

THEY SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. 

THEIR 

POPULAEITY was gained by their SUPERIORITY. 



• 0^0»' 



WEIGHING THE POINTS OF SUPERIORITY. 




THE IDEAL "WEIGH" A-HEAD. 

.O^O" 



If you desire to ECONOMIZE, KE-LOAD your shells with the 
lOEAIv TOOLS, 

and have AMMUNITION that is Reliable and Cheap. The " IDEAL " 
HAND-BOOK and CATALOGUE, sent FREE, contains much valu- 
able information to shooters, and is a complete illustrated PRICE- 
LIST of all IDEAL TOOLS for Rifles, Pistols and Shot-guns. 

Address 

IDEAL M'F'G. CO., 

New Haven, - - - - Conn., U.S.A. 

111^" PLEASE MENTION THIS BOOK WHEN YOU WRITE. 



United States Cartridge Co. 



■MANUFACTURERS OF- 



Central-Fire Pistol 

AND Rifle Cartridges. 



MILITARY AND SPORTING CARTRIDGES. 



SOLID HEAD! RE-LOADING 



Special Cartridges for Springfield Rifles. Calibre 45. 




45-64-405 GOV'T— REGULAR. 

45-66-440 GOVT, WITH "OAKLAND SPECIAL" 
5 GROOVED BULLET. 

45-70-500 GOV'T— NEW. 

45-5-140 GOV'T— FOR ARMORY USE, ROUND BALL. 
45 BLANKS, FOR SKIRMISH FIRING. 



Oal. 22 U- S. Bullet Breech Caps, both Bound and Conical Ball, with 

New Explosive Filling. No Glass. Accurate and Clean. 

Sxtra Strength and Slight Report. 



Also manufacturers of the celebrated U. S. CLIMAX SHOT 
SHELL; the NEW PAPER SHOT SHELL, the result of long 
and careful experiments, and particularly adapted for Nitro Powders. 
The chosen shell of Expert Trap Shots. 

LOWELL, MASS. 




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